Today we’ll continue with some of your favorites (or the passages you have questions about). Email (andy@stm-umc.org) or message me with any passages you’d like added or that you have a question about!

Today we are looking at Ephesians 2: 8-9‬: 

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 the result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Today’s passage is a biggie. Like it’s one of the biggest ones in all of the Bible. It’s a passage that we all need to know, that we all need to understand, that is a foundation of our faith and our very lives. 

We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so one can brag. 

We don’t save ourselves.  

This is the foundation of two major things that you need to understand. These two truths, if you can drill them down into your brain, will give you a real sense of life and of peace. 

1. You can’t do anything to make God start loving you.
2. You can’t do anything to make God stop loving you. 

God’s love for you is not based upon anything you do. God simply loves you. You are not saved by your works or by anything that you do. Nothing you do makes God love you. He simply loves you. You aren’t going to heaven; you aren’t a Christian based on your actions. 

You are a Christian based on His actions.  

You don’t have to make God love you. He simply does, right now. 

Likewise, you can’t do anything to make God stop loving you. You aren’t condemned by your actions. God’s love is not based upon you being good, it’s based upon the fact that He is good. If you are not perfect, He still loves you. There is nothing you can do to ever stop God’s love for you. 

You don’t earn it. You can’t lose it. He loves you. 

We simply must accept that gift through faith. That’s it. That is what saves us. Not our action; we are saved by grace, through faith. 

We dont’ save oursvles. God saves us. Remember that. You are loved. May we stand in faith. That is what saves us. 

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