Grace: a Source of Salvation

Paul's letter to the Ephesians 2 is undoubtedly one of the key texts of the New Testament. In it, the apostle develops the central theme of the gospel: grace. Through this text, Paul shows us how grace comes to save us from eternal death, and to give us eternal life. In this post, we'll explore together the wonderful truths contained in this chapter. We'll see how God's grace saves us, and how it is the source of our salvation.

Chapter 2 of Ephesians begins with a striking reminder. Paul reminds us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins, but that God, who is rich in mercy, has made us alive with Christ. This is true resurrection. We were dead, but now we're alive. This resurrection is not the fruit of our own works. We cannot save ourselves. It is grace that saves us. We are saved by God's grace.

Grace is a simple but profound word. It's God's love in action. It is God who forgives our sins, who accepts us despite our unworthiness, who blesses us despite our infirmities. Grace is a free gift that God offers us in Jesus Christ. But how do we receive this gift? Paul tells us that it is by faith. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Faith is trust in God and in His work of salvation accomplished in Jesus Christ. It means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for our sins and rose again on the third day. Faith is also a response to God's call, a surrender of self to grace. It's God reaching out to us, but it's up to us to grasp it by faith.

Once we have received grace, we are called to live in that grace. We have become new creations in Jesus Christ. As Paul writes, "We are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) We are saved to serve. Grace does not leave us in our sinful state, but transforms us, sanctifies us, enables us to live according to God's will.

The grace of Ephesians 2 is the source of salvation. We've seen how grace saves us, how we receive it through faith, and how it transforms us to live according to God's will. In this chapter, Paul shows us what a wonderful gift grace is. It breaks with our sinful condition and brings us back to life. It is the most striking manifestation of God's love for us. So let us receive this grace with gratitude, and live in it with joy.

God bless you all!