By Grace You Have Been Saved Through Faith?
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "It is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast." All three of those things mentioned there -- grace, salvation, and faith -- are a gift from God. Someone might argue, "Now hang on, I have faith! And I've been given the grace of God and received salvation because I believe, right?" Sure, absolutely. But where does belief come from? Can you create something from nothing? Did you concentrate and manifest your faith? "Nngg BAM! I believe!" Of course not. Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. John 6:29, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." Ephesians 1:19 talks about the "immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might." Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the founder of our faith -- it came from him -- and he is...