Saved by grace through faith...

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

We've all heard this verse many times and it's been taught to us something like this: we are saved by grace and that our salvation is a gift from God - not based on anything we have done. This application is correct, but I wonder if maybe we shouldn't look a little closer. Some groups even use this verse to exclude baptism as essential to salvation by categorizing baptism as a "work."

Lets look at the verse again... For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this [faith] not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Obviously grace and salvation are not from us, but isn't our faith - the ability to believe, also a gift from God?

• It was through faith that Abraham was considered righteous (he believed God & acted)
• It was faith that made the centurions son well (he went to Jesus)
• Faith credited Rahab (a prostitute) with righteousness (She helped the spies)
• Faith saved the thief on the cross (he asked Jesus to remember him)
• Faith led the eunuch to be baptized (he submitted to baptism)

Baptism is an act of faith. Prayer is an act of faith. Loving one another is an act of faith. Giving money is an act of faith. (fill in the blank) etc.

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. " - James 2: 17-18

These are just some things I was thinking about today. Please pray for my faith, and I will be praying for yours. We are fortunate at Sunshine to have the whole Word, in it's entirety taught to us.

Eric