Ephesians 2: 8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." “That” refers to the entire previous statement of salvation, not only the grace but the faith. Although men are required to believe for salvation, even that faith is part of the gift of God which saves and cannot be exercised by one’s own power. God’s grace is preeminent in every aspect of salvation. These are the great verses that summarize the believer’s past, present, and future. At the moment of conversion, one is saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the power of sin, and one day will be saved from the presence of sin. We were dead in trespasses and sin, God saved us by His grace, raising us now to heavenly places in Christ Jesus, and we will someday be in heaven displaying the grace of God. None of this depends on our own works or merit, “for by grace ye have been saved.” If you have ever seen a dead person, you know that they are incapable of doing anything. However, by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit awakens the heart of the spiritually dead person and gives him life. That renewed life is born again. New life has begun.
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