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
We tend to take ourselves too seriously when we reflect on the fact that we are made in God’s image. We somehow get the idea that we and our good works are God-like. Likewise, when we hear that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we think we must be pretty special if the son of God would make that sacrifice for us. But - - what does the writer of the letter to the Ephesians have to say about these things?
When we read these words, it quickly becomes clear that our salvation is not dependent on our wonderful works or on our creation in God’s image. The writer tells us that it is through God’s love for us and God’s immeasurable mercy and benevolence that we are saved. It doesn’t matter how spectacular our good works are. It doesn’t matter if we have earthly wealth, fame and recognition. It doesn’t even matter if we preach good sermons. It only matters that God loves us and that God bestows on us divine grace in amounts we can’t even imagine. Don’t boast. Believe! Worship! Give thanks!
The Rev. Bob McCoy
