The Eternal Equation

“The Eternal Equation!”

Ephesians 2:1-9

“1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 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. 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..”

Introduction: The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus around 60-64 A.D. Paul spent a great amount of time there and this letter served as short overview of the theological tenets and practical applications of his teaching to them. At first glance, Ephesians 2:8-9 is simple in its presentation. There are three components to this phrase. If you have ever diagrammed sentences in school, you can see the relationships of these components. First, “By grace” is a prepositional phrase that refers to why we are saved. Second, “are ye saved” is a verb phrase that describes the verb “are saved”. The word “ye”, describes who are saved. Third, “through faith” describes how we are saved. Together the phrase, “For by grace are ye saved through faith” tells us that because of God’s grace (why) He saved us (who) through our faith (how). With this in mind, those of you who have diagrammed sentences can see that the subject of the first phrase or sentence is salvation.

Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/ephesians-28-9-commentary/#ixzz6ugvrxl9Z

Let’s look at these three aspects of salvation from our text…First we have…

I. The Why of Salvation (For by grace…through faith)

a. The definition of grace

The definition that I have heard all my adult life is that grace is “unmerited favor.” What does this mean?

“When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time; that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance; that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements; that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award—yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God.”

Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters, G.W. Knight, p. 53

b. The designation of grace

Salvation is “by” grace which to me means that God has determined that salvation would be “by” His grace! As the sovereign God of the universe He has chosen to extend His grace to humanity. It comes in the form of an invitation to all men to believe and be saved.

For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Joel 2:32) and Romans 10:13 Salvation can come no other way but “by” grace!

c. The deliverance of grace

Notice what Paul says in Titus 2 when he declares that it is the grace of God, “…that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…” Grace is the vehicle, the instrument that God uses to convey and to deliver salvation.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

How did this grace “appear” to all men? Through Jesus Christ…

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.