“NOT YOUR OWN DOING!”

 

Ephesians 2:8-10                 (ESV)

“[8] For BY GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH. And this is “NOT YOUR OWN DOING”; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, [9] NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that WE SHOULD WALK in them.”

There is NO REASON why ALMIGHTY GOD should have CHOSEN me to be in HIS KINGDOM for eternity!  Even the yearning to go to heaven is a GIFT from GOD!  We get SO CAUGHT UP in the cares of “this world” that our finite minds are blinded to SEE TRUTH!  The pace at which we live our lives TESTIFIES where our priorities are set.  

Humanity has to be BORN AGAIN (John 3:3) to experience Heaven, according to JESUS HIMSELF!  So why do we think that living a “good life” is critical to our salvation??  I am a sinner saved by GRACE, nothing less will suffice!  ALMIGHTY GOD CHOSE ME BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4), or I would be WITHOUT HOPE!!!

There is a song written a few decades ago entitled “I don’t know why JESUS loved me” by André Crouch that I reflect on frequently!  Why did JESUS CHRIST leave HEAVEN for three plus years for someone as vile and wretched as this humble servant?  It was DEFINITELY “NOT YOUR OWN DOING”, but TOTALLY HIS GRACE AND MERCY!!!