Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This passage of scripture is very important to every Christian, for it teaches us the sacred truth that it's not because of anything good that we have done or will do, why we are saved, but rather strictly by grace through faith in Christ. We do not take any initiatives in our own salvation, for the Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to Christ, and even when we have been truly converted, the good works that we do, are done because of Jesus Christ living within our hearts, and it's from His presence and effectual working that we get the impetus, desire, and will to respond favorably to God's gracious overtures.
This was something that the prodigal son in the parable of Christ needed to understand, for a close examination of his prepared speech suggests that because of the error of his ways, he was willing to now do a whole lot of good things to atone for the wrong he had done, by asking for his birthright prematurely. Let's read:
Luke 15:17 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
The response of the father in the parable represents how The Lord regards the sinner who turns to Him with genuine repentance, for the father did not even respond to all the promises thus made, but rather expressed his joy in seeing his son again, and proceeded to host a special home-coming banquet for his previously lost child. Let's read:
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Our salvation does not depend on the promises we have made to God, but rather the promises He has made to us, and that's why the tenor of the Bible in regards to our salvation, is to encourage a humble acknowledgement of God's efforts to save us from ourselves, while the appropriate response of praise and thanksgiving to Him, ascend from a heart that is conscious of its destitution, and leans upon the everlasting arm of God for strength, grace, and will power to run the race that is set before us. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to look away from self to the uplifted Savior, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let's read:
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Let us then be ever grateful for the grace which has been poured out upon us without measure, and may it translate into willing and loving service for Christ. God bless!