So, My Goodness Doesn’t Count for Anything?

Ephesians Series Eph 2:8-10

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Learning grace in a performance-driven world

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as 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 so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10

I grew up in a family that highly valued academic achievement and good behavior. These traits comprised the framework of my life and provided multiple bragging rights for myself, my parents, and even my church family.

I don’t think I heard the word grace outside of dinner prayers until early in my marriage. At least, not in the context of Ephesians 2:8.

My world revolved around expectations of actions that made the family look good, didn’t bring shame, and staved off disapproval and negative consequences. Such an environment fosters in some the desire to surreptitiously skirt the rules, hide failings, and manipulate circumstances to appear good and honorable.

Those ingrained attitudes have a life of their own which color every relationship and interaction. I remember knowing pridefully as a young teen that I had something many of my peers lacked–a good family that went to church, didn’t engage in blatantly offensive or immoral activities, reached out to others with hospitality and good deeds, and generally looked pretty exemplary.

Good behavior is not righteousness

I likely had a subconscious notion that going to church + good actions gave me eternal life. I didn’t understand how far I was from God’s way of righteousness.

I imagine I came across to others as judgmental, if not self-righteous and arrogant. Ouch!

As I grew in understanding the Scriptures, I realized that I, too, had nothing good of myself to offer the Lord. Even my moral behavior was tainted with the pride that tantalized my heart to believe that I was capable of living with rectitude.

Ephesians talks a lot about grace (12 times). Romans propounds it 18 times and the New Testament contains 123 mentions. It seems rather important!

Altogether, these passages clearly convey that I cannot save myself and, once saved, I am not the one making righteousness happen. It is all from the life of the Righteous One inside me. My only part on both ends is to believe that Jesus is the focus and open my hands and heart to Him in faith.

God’s system is based on His love gifts

This salvation is a gift from God. It is freely given, uncaused (not earned, obligatory, or even good form such as giving a birthday present), and an expression of honor. God gave solely out of His love and desire to bless us. He delights in surprising us with something unexpected in the same way we get a thrill in finding the perfect item for someone we adore.

We give just because we want to honor that friend with an extravagant heart of affection.

The gift can also mean a sacrifice to the giver. It costs something, yet the desire to benefit or bless the other makes the price insignificant.

My generous husband surprised me with a ruby and diamond necklace for our fortieth anniversary. I felt overcome with amazement when I discovered the receipt, for it was considerably more than we usually spend for such gifts. I also felt immensely loved and valued and basked in the joy he showed as I received the love token.

I can’t take any credit for this largesse, but I can certainly brag about my man and his abundant, gracious love for me!

I also can’t pay it back with something of equal value. He doesn’t want that and usually obtains what he needs on his own. Somehow, that tit-for-tat demeans the joy for the giver and the place of honor for the recipient, and it sets up an endless cycle of obligation which leads to exhaustion and continual indebtedness. It also becomes an insult to the giver. Have you ever experienced these things?

The same is true with God.

I can’t possibly earn anything He provides, and I can never repay Him in kind. (Have you ever made a list of all the gifts God offers? Scriptures abound with them, and then we have specifics He gives to each person. Think about everything parents do for young children without any thought of repayment.)

What, then, is my role?

So, how do I respond to this immense bounty from the Lord?

Since volumes by the myriads expound on this passage, a blog-sized response seems woefully inadequate. I will propose a short answer here and address it more fully in the next post.

God is the one who created me with a role to play in bringing His purposes about, and He designed me specifically to fill a unique place in this time. My life will be immensely significant in ways I can’t even imagine when I allow Him to guide me and shape my character.

When I submit to His skillful hand that is wisely sculpting me into the image of Christ, He is able to trust me with greater components of His plan. I have the privilege of being a vehicle through which He works to draw others to Himself and show His redemptive glory.

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:9-10

What are your thoughts about grace?

Ephesians Series