Where are You Focused?

One of the clearest statements on salvation is found in the second chapter of Ephesians:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10, NLT)

Grace means a gift you don’t deserve or earn in any way. It implies you were guilty of something but didn’t get punished for it – like that time you were doing 55 mph in a 35 mph zone and the officer only gave you a warning – that was grace.

Actually it’s more like when you got that speeding ticket and went to court the judge after talking with you for a moment said: “I’ll pay the fine for you and have the points transferred to my record.” I know – it didn’t happen that way, but that would be grace.

Salvation is a gift of grace in spite of what we have done. We can never do enough to earn it, it is a gift.

Salvation has two parts. If you read the verses just before these in Ephesians you will see that it means eternal life – what we usually think of when we talk about salvation.

But according to this passage there is a second part – salvation from sin now. When you believe in Jesus – accept Him into your life as Lord and Savior – you become His masterpiece!

He starts putting His value system into your unique character so that you reflect His love.

The result is you can then “do the good things he planned for [you] long ago.” You start living your life in a way that honors and points to Jesus.

This is also part of God’s gift of grace!

Everything always depends on your connection to God through Jesus! That’s the only focus that will bring us salvation – both eternal life and victory over sinfulness.

Where are you focused?