Can You Earn Salvation?

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:1-10

As I read this scripture, I was reminded of the importance of being humble.  As His word says, “none of us can boast about it.”  Salvation is not something to boast about. It is something to praise God about. To worship and sing to Jesus about. To stand in awe because of the amazing gift that is given freely from God’s pure love and grace. 

I have often heard people talk about how so and so is a good person, so how can anyone say that they don’t deserve to go to heaven.  But, unfortunately, so many people have not understood the most important point, NO ONE deserves to go to heaven.  We all fall short.  It is by receiving Christ Jesus as our saviour, by recognizing that He died on a cross in order to take the punishment of our sins that we receive salvation.  Only by accepting Jesus into our hearts may we enter God’s presence.  Not one of us will ever deserve this gift.  However, ANYONE can receive the gift of salvation by turning to Christ, accepting him, and asking for forgiveness.

Thank God for his mercy, love, and grace!