Everyone knows Eph 2:8-9, that we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works. But do you know why that is? Paul explained why in Eph 2:1-3.
The Ephesians had been in a bad way.
Really bad.
Hopeless, really.
Here’s how Paul described them:
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others (Eph 2:1-3).
Paul paints a very bleak picture of Ephesian life before faith.
First, they had been “dead.” When the Bible describes “death” it is usually a form of separation. For example, the death of the human person occurs at the separation of the soul from the body (see here). In this case, the Ephesians were physically alive because Paul describes them as “walking” (i.e., living). So how were they dead? Paul says they were “dead in trespasses and sins.” Whatever that means, it isn’t good. At the very least, they lacked eternal life and therefore were separated from the life of God.
Second, they were walking according to the age of this world. That is, they were worldly in their thinking, acting, and aspiring.
Third, they were walking according to Satan (“the prince of the power of the air”). When Satan is setting your traveling itinerary, you know you’re in bad company.
Fourth, they conducted themselves in the lusts of the flesh. Their life focus was on fulfilling their lusts. That’s what they lived for. “If it feels good, do it” was their motto.
Now put these four things together and what do you get?
Do you get people who are in a position to contribute works to their salvation?
No. You get people whose only hope is grace. And that’s what God gave. Twice Paul reminded the Ephesians, “by grace you have been saved” (Eph 2:4, 8).
What was true of the Ephesians is also true of you.
Why must salvation be apart from works (v 9)? Because, frankly, you have no works to offer.
Timothy J Amoroso
Believers cannot look to their works to see if they are saved. They should look to Christ to see if they are in the family of God.
The only reason why a believer should look to his works, is to see if he or she is in fellowship with God. And, Paul encouraged the believers in Corinthians to look to their works to see if they were growing in the grace of God, or if they were back sliding.
Unbelievers should not look to their works, at all. But the most important thing they should do is to focus on Jesus Christ, if they desire to be saved. God bless.
KEN TAMASHIRO
Thanks Pastor Shawn,
If I remember correctly about the Ephesian Church, it was a mixture of Jewish and Gentiles.
There at the time of Pauls writing of the letter to that Church, the Gentiles were experiencing differences between they and the Messianic Jews, who by culture kept the Law of Moses and possibly other things Jewish as well.
If I understand this correctly the Messianic Jews were insisting that the Gentiles follow their lead in becoming like the Messianic Jews, thus problems arose because of those factors.
Ephesians 2:8-10 …….
Brought Near by His Blood,…vs 11-13
Christ Our Peace,…vs 14-18
Grace and Peace, Ken Tamashiro
Alvin
Why Must Salvation be apart from works~?
Because if works played any role in Salvation people could BOAST~! No one has EVER been saved by faith AND works, nor ever will be. In fact if anyone thinks so, that shows they have never understood why grace and works cannot be mixed.
Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is by works, it is no longer grace, otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 3:27 So where is boasting~? It is EXCLUDED. Through what sort of law? Of works? No indeed, but through the law of FAITH.
When God sees FAITH in the heart He accounts it FOR righteousness:
Romans 4:4-5. Now to the person who WORKS the compensation is NOT made on the basis of GRACE, but on the basis of what is OWED. But to the person who DOES NOT WORK, but BELIEVES in the One who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH is imputed as righteousness.
If God sees faith and works in the heart that disqualifies the person from receiving a gift BY grace, and that is the ONLY way the GIFT can be received.
To believe is to simply be convinced that what Jesus promises in a verse like John 3:16 is true. When God sees faith in the heart He accounts it for righteousness, NOT faith and works.
Daniel Logan Miller
I Love it! Shawn i appreciate you man. indeed we have no works to offer. Another thing about Lordship salvation advocates that baffles me is that even if we were judged by works, are we to believe our good works outweigh the bad? My scale would be greatly imbalanced and not in a good way. Thank God for Jesus and his perfect obedience. I read a disturbing article the other day called “ARE YOU SURE YOURE SAVED?” by Pastor Jerry Dirmann and I must say it was one of the most unscriptural articles I’ve ever read about how we are saved by faith and obedience, and not faith alone. He even tried to say Paul disagreed with James, and so Jesus chose to side with James. I am very troubled to see so many popular pastors with a lot of influence preaching works salvation. Thank you for preaching the truth.