The Power of God’s Grace at Work (Ephesians 2:8-10)

God often uses the weak, insignificant, and the unworthy. We can think about Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Gideon, and more. God delights in using underdogs to achieve great victories and to display His power and glory. God does this through His grace. Today we will look at how God’s grace is applied and His work is accomplished.

God’s Grace Applied (Ephesians 2:8-9)

How does God show His grace and glory through us? God’s grace is necessary in order to display His glory in our lives. In verse 8, we see that it is “for” or “because” of God’s grace that we were saved from the wrath of God. God chooses to show His riches to us and display His glory in our lives. It is because of His immense grace.

What is God’s grace? It is receiving something that we don’t deserve. God is showing His love, glory, and riches and giving us victory. We receive His undeserved favor when we put our faith in Him.

How do we know we have faith? Ephesians 1:13 says that we put our confidence in the gospel, the message of Christ. Faith is not of our own doing. God made us alive in Christ and seated us together with Him through faith.

Christ is the Priest between us and God the Father. Christ, as our Priest, is seated on the right-hand of the Father. This shows us that Christ’s work is done. We do not need a priest here on the earth; we only need faith.

Ephesians 2:8 mentions a gift of God. We can see this in two parts. First, all aspects of your salvation are from God. Salvation is a free gift from God. Second, the source of this gift is from God alone. Salvation does not come by the means of anyone or anything other than God. You could read it as “from God is the gift,” speaking of salvation.

God’s Work Accomplished (Ephesians 2:10)

When grace is applied, God’s work is accomplished. We cannot bring anything to God that will allow us into Heaven. We have nothing before God to boast about. Verse 10 uses the picture of a workshop and a workman. We are God’s workmanship, and God is the workman – not us. We are not the source of our salvation.

When we look at verses 4-6, we see that God is the one working. In verse 9, we see God as the workman produces something in us using the "tool" of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once you accept Christ, good works follow. But how can people who do not accept Jesus do good deeds? They can, but those efforts have no union with Christ, and they cannot boast of them. Those individuals are still spiritually dead. But those who have accepted Jesus are moved by the Holy Spirit, and those works can be presented before the Father.

Application Points

• We have talked a lot about what God did. What responsibility do we have? The Scriptures tell us to place our faith in Jesus Christ. God is the One who rescues and recreates us. Have you placed your faith (confidence) in the saving work that Jesus did on the cross as your only way to eternal life?

• God is the One at work; He is the doer. We have no claim to salvation. God prepared for us to do certain works from before the world began. God chose you to do the works, but we cannot take claim of those works. God will produce good works in you for His glory. Don’t think He cannot use you – He can do it. He has a blueprint for your life, and you cannot mess it up.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore:

• Ephesians 1:13
• Romans 10:17 – faith
• Ephesians 1:19-20
• Ephesians 6:1 – grammar for “this” in reference to grammar in 2:8

A Hymn to Encourage: “Grace Greater than Our Sin” by Julia H. Johnston

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold–
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
All who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?