“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
(All Scriptures and Scripture references are from the King James Bible.)
God’s grace is His undeserved kindness that He shows to all people. If it were not for God’s grace, His justice would punish us as soon as we sinned in our thoughts, or by our words, or by our actions. God is very patient with us. He is not willing that anyone (no matter how sinful) should be punished by His strict justice (2 Pet. 3:9). But even God’s grace has its limits, and multitudes of people die everyday without making the best possible use of it. The Bible says that it will be “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31) without receiving His gift of salvation that He has provided for every person by His grace.
God’s gift of salvation cannot be earned by performing any religious rites or ceremonies, or by doing any type of good deeds. You can never be good enough to earn God’s salvation; therefore it is “not of works” that anyone can be saved (forgiven of their sins). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified (saved) in his (God’s) sight” (Rom. 3:20). You cannot be your own savior. Yet, God will not bestow His salvation on anyone who refuses to renounce and forsake their evil ways. Jesus will not save anyone in their sins, but from their sins (Mt. 1:21). God has made it known in the Bible that there will be a Final Judgment, and all those who die in their sins will be eternally punished for them (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20: 11-15; 21:8). Reader, God means what He says in the Bible. He is still giving you a chance to avoid sin’s final penalty by putting your faith in Jesus and asking Him to forgive your sins. He will forgive them if you really want Him to. Just say: Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner, and please forgive all my sins. (Don’t forget to thank Him for forgiving them.) You will be spiritually born again of God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you spiritual power so that you can live a life that is pleasing to God (John 3:1-8).
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father (God), but by me” (Jn. 14:6). The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. God’s salvation is a gift and you may have it now! No matter who you are, God can save you through faith in Jesus if you really want Him to!