Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is not of us in that it is not of works

Ephesians 2.8-9:

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.

Salvation is not from ourselves.

This means that salvation is not by our works of righteousness as in keeping the Law (such as the Ten Commandments).

*Salvation is by grace through faith.

*Salvation is not from ourselves.

*Salvation is the gift of God.

*Salvation is not of works, lest anyone should boast.

When the Apostle Paul says that salvation is not of us, he is saying that it is not of works.

But what about faith?

Paul is saying that faith is instrumental in our salvation.

Faith is in contrast to works.

Salvation is "through faith."

If one does not believe (in the right thing), they are not saved.

The right thing is Jesus Christ as Scripture says,

whoever believes in Him [Jesus] should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3.15)

This is because Jesus bore the penalty of sin, being death, for everyone on the cross.

This death is separation from God, which is the opposite of everlasting life.

When one believes in Jesus for salvation, they are saved.

How can faith be instrumental in salvation, if salvation is not of us?

Because faith is not works.

Faith and works are very different.

We are saved by the faith that believes the Word of God concerning salvation through Jesus.

We are not saved by our works of righteousness.

By faith in Jesus, God credits righteousness to us (called "justification"), while "works" is our own righteousness in which we try to stand accepted by God.

Faith is believing the Word of God concerning the way of salvation by which salvation results, but by works, one seeks to stand in one's own righteousness for salvation.

Faith is instrumental in our salvation.

The Apostle Paul says:

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. (Galatians 2.16)

Justification is not "by" works but "by" faith.

Consider the account in the book of Acts concerning the Italian Centurion Cornelius.

An angel instructs Cornelius to send for the Apostle Peter,

who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved. (Acts 11.14)

Peter says to Cornelius,

The word which [God] sent to the children of Israel,

preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know,

which was proclaimed throughout all Judea,...

[this Jesus] whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly.

(Acts 10.36-39)

And then Peter says,

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.

(Acts 10.43)

And then...

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

(Acts 10.44)

Salvation took place when Cornelius and those with him heard these words from Peter:

whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.

It is clear that salvation comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ for salvation.

[by Jason]