"For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of
God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast."
Ephesians 2: 8-9
Martin Luther is viewed as the father of the
Protestant Reformation in the early
sixteenth
century in Europe. He lived in despair, fearing
penance, fasting, pilgrimages, and discipline
would never gain him
the favor with God
for which he longed.
And he was right. It was not until he
discovered Romans 1:17—“The just
shall live by faith [and not by works]”
that he found peace with God.
Doctrine of salvation by grace through faith
in Christ can be a stumbling block for works-
oriented people.
Everything we gain in life is
by hard work and self-discipline—or so the
modern mantra tells us.
But the Bible has a different message: Only by
trusting in the finished work of Christ can we be
justified in God’s sight. Works are important, to
be sure. But we are saved for good works, not
by good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Don’t try to gain God’s favor by working for
Him. Instead, receive His favor (grace) by
believing in Him through His Son.
"We must come to good works
by faith, and not to faith
by
good works."
William Gurnall
