Grace of God: The Gift of Salvation
Monday, February 22
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God–not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
A gift is given because of the generosity of the giver. A gift becomes
yours when you take it as your own. Our salvation is a gift of God’s
grace through faith–not works. We are sinners who need a Savior and are
only saved by the grace of God–not by the good we do. We put our faith
in Jesus our Redeemer who brings us into relationship with our Creator.
However, Paul did not stop there, “We are what he has made us, created
in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our
way of life” (v. 10). As God’s children we are transformed–in response
to God’s gift of grace, we do God’s work in the world.
O God open our hearts that we might recognize your grace and love and
respond to your Spirit’s prompts that your grace might shine through us
this day. Amen.
Mary Toufar, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd