Not Our Own Doing

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NRSV

As Christians, we are all about sinful people accepting Christ. We ask new Christians to choose a Christian lifestyle. We ourselves are often asked to commit or recommit ourselves to Christ. Even in my own devotional times, I often focus on surrendering my will to God's will. All of these are works, things we do.

Paul turns this concept on its head and inside out.

Paul says that being saved is not something we do; it is something God does.

Our salvation is a gift not a choice.

Our salvation is not a decision we make. It is given to us by God.

Because if it were all up to us, we would think more of ourselves than we would of God. If salvation was all about us then we could boast to our friends about what we have done: we have saved ourselves from God's wrath and eternal damnation!

We are saved by God not because of what we have done but because of what God has done.

Saved by faith not works.

How very un-American.

God, we like so very much to be in control and doing what we can for ourselves. Yet, you give us the gift of salvation. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question for the day: Where in your faith life have you given yourself all the credit?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims