The Core Of The GospelSample

Salvation: The Work Of God

“And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Four parts in this verse emphasize that salvation is not the work of man for God, but the work of God for man. The first part is, “and are justified.” The verb is passive. You don’t do it, you don’t justify yourself; you are justified by God. You are given right standing with God. This is done for you, not by you. 

Secondly, you are justified “by his grace.” Grace is God’s favor to those who don’t deserve it and cannot earn it. Grace is absolutely free.

The third part, “as a gift,” reiterates the same point. You don’t deserve this. You can’t earn it, pay for it, or work for it. It’s a gift. Like all gifts, you can only receive it.

The final part reads, “Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Christ redeemed us from our sin. He bought us with his own blood. So Christ did it all. We did nothing. Salvation goes to those who are justified by his grace as a gift because Christ redeemed us. 

It’s not the work of man for God. It’s the work of God for man. Every religion in the world is spelled D-O, focusing on what we do to earn salvation, but not the gospel. The gospel is spelled D-O-N-E. It’s about what Christ has done to save us.

Craig Brian Larson, an author, notes that one ad for the US Marines Corps pictures a sword, and beneath it, the words, “Earned, not given.” If you want to become a Marine, be prepared to earn that name through sacrifice, hardship, and training. If you get it, you deserve it. But if you want to become a Christian, you must have the exact opposite attitude, for the message of the gospel is given, not earned.

You cannot save your own soul, and God will not save anyone who tries to earn salvation; only those who will humbly receive it as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ will be saved.