In Ephesians 1:7 God says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Salvation is a free gift to every person, but each one has to receive Jesus’ gift. (Romans 3:22-26) By His grace, we are made 100%holy if we ask forgiveness of our sins. In Ephesians 2:8-9, God makes His offer of salvation clear. “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Cf. Ephesians 2:4-7; Romans 4:5-8, 16; 2 Timothy 1:8-13) Doing good deeds does not have any part in salvation! Salvation is brought about because Jesus’ willingness to bear the sin of the whole world, by nailing each person’s sin to His Cross. (Colossians 2:12-14; Jeremiah 31:3)
Grace means that God is for us! In John 1:16, grace is more than God’s kindness and favor. Without grace no person can be saved. Doing good works has no part in grace. After salvation is received as a free gift, works will be our rewards in Heaven. They prove and perfect our faith! (James 2:14-26)
The most wonderful act of grace is God coming in the flesh, through Jesus Christ, to earth to declare the Father to all mankind. (John 1:16) In Hebrews 1:12, God spoke to us by His Son, through whom He made the worlds. Jesus is the exact image of God’s person, when He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-12) God called Jesus “God” in Hebrews 1:8. (Psalm 45:2, 6-7, 11,17) Praise God, Jesus willingly laid down His perfect life for us!