God’s purpose in our redemption is not simply to rescue us from hell, as great a work as that is. His ultimate purpose in our salvation is that for all eternity the church might praise God for His grace (Ephesians 1:6, 12, and 14).

If God has an eternal purpose for us to fulfill, He will keep us for all eternity. Since we have not been saved by our good works, we cannot be lost by our bad works. Grace means salvation completely apart from any merit or works on our part. Grace means that God does it all for Jesus’ sake! Our salvation is the gift of God, not a reward.

Salvation cannot be “of works” because the work of salvation has already been completed on the cross. This is the work that God does for us, and it is a finished work. We can add nothing to it; we dare take nothing from it.

When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom, signifying that the way to God was now open. There is no more need for earthly sacrifices. One sacrifice—the Lamb of God—has finished the great work of salvation. God did it all, and He did it by His grace.

Scripture for today: “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7, NIV).

Also read: Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14; John 17:1-4; 19:30; Hebrews 10:1-14.

Action assignment: On the left side of a sheet of paper, list things some people are depending on to make themselves right with God or some false god they might worship. Then on the right side, write out what you are depending on for salvation. Put a big X through the list on the left. Thank God for his finished work of salvation.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in