Saved by Grace
Nothing & everything
===
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NET)
===
Here’s something that should be strange:
The “holier-than-thou” attitude of Christians.
I’ve been guilty of that sin of pride many times in my life. Thinking that because I didn’t struggle with vice “A” or sin “B” that I had things pretty much all together.
Of course, I’d conveniently ignore those “tiny, little sins” that I did struggle with on the regular because those were more “respectable” sins.
As if there is such a thing.
It’s all filthy rags to God.
Thus, any boast I have in my own good works is short-sighted and small.
I want to have an eternal perspective on life.
For that to happen, I have to recognize my guilt, my shame, and the incredible, holy work of Christ that covers me. And I did nothing to earn it, it’s — as the verse says — a gift from God.
Nothing for me to boast about.
Because what did I have to offer?
Nothing … and everything.
Nothing, because there’s nothing good I can offer God. But everything because I offered God my whole life … it’s the most I have to give.
And what is the incredible return I get for this meager offer?
Life eternal with the God of the Universe.
I’m not some great negotiator, it’s just that God is that loving & generous.
What a great God who I get to call Father!
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.