Greetings CrossTrain family! We’re coming into one of the most powerful portions of scripture as we approach our next family memory verse. Thank you to everyone who continues with us as we begin to reach the culmination of this endeavor. These scriptures will have each of us prepared to engage with our children and the rest of the world to biblically explain what we see in the world and point to the one way we may have eternal life. The verse this week is the great differentiator that makes Christianity stand alone as the one path to salvation. This is where we learn how we may be saved from the wrath of God that each of us deserve, so lean in!
“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.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Why this verse? Paul makes it abundantly clear that we are saved, made righteous, the same way every other in person was in history… through God’s gift of faith ALONE. Our salvation, the forgiveness of our sin, is purely a gift and nothing that can be bought or earned. Paul obliterates any possibility of self-righteousness and explains that only God’s gift of faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross can save us. We must turn to God and believe that Jesus died for YOUR sins. We have nothing to brag about, but rather everything for which to be grateful. The God of the universe, creator of all things has done all the work to save his creatures who have rebelled against him, including giving them the faith to even believe in His work. Paul uses his strongest language in Galatians to be sure that we know that adding a single work to the gospel makes it no gospel at all. One required work makes it a false gospel which cannot save and would leave us yet again without hope. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ ALONE.
Questions Ephesians 2:8-10
How are we saved?
What works must we do to be saved?
God saved me because I’m such a good person, right?
Can I go to heaven if I do more good than bad?
Can I go to heaven if I’m a better person than most?
This is such good news, church! Let us rest in Jesus Christ, our Sabbath rest, and his work that he has done on our behalf. May we remind our children and those around us that there is no more work to be done. It is finished! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving His Gospel in repentance and faith, and be saved. We pray this message of salvation by grace alone and faith alone be reflected and proclaimed in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces and that God may grant us increasing faith as we continue to rest in Him. God saves sinners, so let’s get to spreading His good news. Until next time, may God richly bless you by the grace and mercy won by Jesus Christ!
In Christ,
Adam and Audra Griffin
Family Ministries