City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

₈ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ₉ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

Interpretation

Grace is an unmerited favor. This favor is done despite the person not deserving the act of kindness and can never be in a position to repay it back. Being saved by the finished work in Christ is one such act of extreme grace. All one has to do is to accept and receive the gift of salvation in faith. This is a free gift given for anyone who heeds to the call by God. This valuable gift came with a price and it was paid by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary by dying for the sin of all mankind.

Since someone has already paid the price, it’s free for all of us. This is a humbling experience because we, who need to be judged and punished for all our sins, have been offered pardon and saved from the eternal damnation with a new life in Christ. If one can save oneself, then one can boast of this accomplishment; however, since this is impossible, God made a way for all for free and no one can boast about receiving this salvation.

Growing up in the east, I can clearly state that it’s hard for people to understand the concept of free salvation. It’s hard for people to believe that someone will do something for others for free. People often work very hard to achieve their own salvation. If anyone goes to an eastern country they will understand the devotion of people very quickly. People devote their life, time and money to appease their deities and to earn their own salvation. People travel to holy places, bathe in sacred rivers, climb mountains, visit temple after temple, study under gurus or offer gold, silver and money to their gods.

People will often involve in long worships where they sometimes torture themselves, offer animal sacrifices, offer food and drinks etc. all in the hope of receiving salvation. People often boast of their ‘accomplishments’ in their spiritual pursuits. Despite all these they don’t have the assurance of salvation. Christ however, came to save the lost and offered salvation for free. It is made free not because it’s cheap, but because it’s so expensive that no one could afford.

Application

Salvation is a free gift from God offered through Christ. One has the ability to accept or reject a free gift. That decision is in our hands. Receiving this gift gracefully and thankfully is apt for all who want salvation from eternal separation from God. There is no room for any spiritual pride or arrogance as we have received it as an unmerited favor from God. It’s imperative that we are thankful and worship God with gratitude for this free gift.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us Your unmerited favor. Thank You for dying for us and saving us. Help us to accept You as our savior and reject sin and follow You. Help us to be thankful every day for Your work on the cross. In Jesus name, amen.