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NASB | Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace [God's remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; |
Subject: Saved without faith? |
Bible Note: Greetings WalkingTalkingBible! Is faith something we 'do', or is it a response to God's grace? If it is something we do, then what your saying would contradict Paul clear statements. For instance, Paul says in Rom. 4:1-5: "What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? ‘‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."" To say that 'trusting' or 'believing' here is a work would be to make Paul's statement nonsense since he is contrasting works and faith. To use a human analogy, salvation is a gift. Jesus purchased the gift with His blood. He presents it to us through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I can accept or not, but my acceptance or non-acceptance does not change the reality of the gift. Now, I believe the gift can be rejected by those who have once accepted it. So, we would be in agreement at that point. But, our salvation is not something that we have to maintain by any effort on our part. It is a completed work. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |