“God saved you through faith as an act of kindness.
You had nothing to do with it.
Being saved is a gift from God.”
(Ephesians 2:8 GW)
“Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!” (Ephesians 2:7-10 TPT)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB)
“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…” (Ephesians 2:8-10 AMP)
God of Grace,
Thank you for your remarkable compassion and favor that has drawn each of us to Christ through Holy Spirit. Thank you for the gift of salvation you have offered to us all and for our willing response to your call. Remind us that this gift of salvation is not something we have done and we are not to boast in it, but that we have been delivered from judgement and eternal life because of our faith. Thank you that even before we were born, you planned in advance our destiny, and throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of your grace and kindness. Keep us ever-mindful that we are your poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny you have given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One, in whose name we pray, Amen!