All Grace!

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 MSG

Let's see the version we can easily remember: 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 KJV

Nobody qualified; sin made us not good enough. We exchanged God's permanent glory for temporary gain and we became objects of wrath. However,  God's original design couldn't be altered; he had to find a way for us to gain back what was lost. So today's extract makes sense in this light; it is all about God from start to finish.

Long before we earned it, it was offered freely. Long before our works could make us worth it, he had settled it. There is no room for pride,  no room for self and no room for effort. If I couldn't create myself, then of course, I know nothing about how my life came to be and what it would be like. All I can do is trust the wisdom and power of the One who did.

I love the ending: God does the making and the saving. Start to finish. End to end. He made me for  his purpose and saves me for his purpose. Nothing else can beat that buy myself. If I reject him, I tell him I can save myself. If I reject him, I tell him I don't need him. Because he alone saves, I must answer to him when this present life ends. Am I ready? His time of favour is here.