And although you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you formerly lived according to this world’s present path, according to the ruler of the domain of the air, the ruler of the spirit that is now energizing the sons of disobedience, among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…
But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved! — and he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them. Ephesians 2:1-10
New English Translation
Salvation is such a special moment in a person’s life. As Paul states here it’s a life-giving experience. However, sadly, a lot of people have a mixed up view of salvation. They think they can earn it. Their view is kind of like the chore charts I had growing up. By doing everything you were supposed to you earned the big prize at the end. But, that’s not how things work with God.
See, God is a God of grace. Basically, one of His top love languages is gift giving. He loves to give His kids things. Salvation is one of those gifts. The thing about gifts is that someone can try to give you a gift all day long, but at the end of the day you have to accept the gift. He can’t force you to take this gift, and honestly, He doesn’t want to. God offers you the gift of salvation hoping that you’ll be just as excited to receive it as He is to give it. Have you accepted His gift?
If you’ve already accepted His gift, what are you doing with it?
Salvation is not one those gifts that you hang on the wall, set on top of the dresser, or heaven forbid hide in the underwear drawer. This present is interactive. We learn this from the book of James.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear.
But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26
New English Translation
Some people like to run with this section of scripture and say that it’s about earning faith, working hard for it, but, in reality, it’s talking about life after salvation. Paul already pointed out that in sin we are dead, but in salvation we are made alive. What James is doing here is breaking down even further the difference between life without Christ and life with Christ.
Once you step into life alive with Christ, you’re lifestyle looks different. You begin to act differently, talk differently, even speak differently. The things that used to be appealing are no longer appealing. Rather, you begin to look at life from Christ’s perspective and how you can honor Him in everything you do.
The “hall of fame” members mentioned by James are Abraham and Rahab. An interesting pair to set side-by-side since one was a father of a holy nation and the other was a prostitute. However, there is one crucial thing they have in common.
They lived their faith.
Abraham displayed that he walked with God by willingly obeying God and taking his son up to sacrifice him before God, trusting God would make all things work out. Before you freak out and call Child Protective Services, do know that God did not make Abraham go through with the sacrifice, which you can read for yourself in Genesis 22. Looking at Rahab, we see her displaying her faith by putting out a red cord like God told her to, trusting that He would keep His promise and protect her family.
Did you notice what they both did in living their faith? They trusted God. The bottom line is that if you’re not willing to live your faith and change your life once you decide to accept salvation, then you don’t really trust God. Without those key elements, you really can’t accept salvation. That’s just the truth of the matter.
I don’t know where you are in your faith, but I do know that everyone right now has a chance to start again with God. He has great things for you. Whether you’re completely new to faith, or you just need to step out in faith more boldly and trust God to show you what things to get rid of, I know He’s going to help you through it.
I encourage you to pray this prayer with me:
Lord, thank you that you have offered this gift of salvation to me. I want to accept it, I want to cherish it. Most of all, I want to use it. Help me to let go of everything that keeps me from honoring you. Starting here and now, my life belongs to you. Amen
If you gave your life to Jesus, I encourage you to let me know here so I can be praying for you. God has wonderful things in store for you. Are you ready to boldly walk in them?
