How much of your salvation depends on God and how much depends on you? If you say that it all depends on God, then what role do you play in the salvific process? If you say that it all depends on you, then what role does God fulfill?
The danger is to think that you did all you could do and then God did the rest. See if you can detect the clarity of what you bring to the salvation package in this verse.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)
Let’s focus on the phrase, “and this not from yourselves.” We have been saved by grace through faith. Where did that come from? Who made that possible? God! Salvation was not our idea. It was and is God’s idea. God’s redemptive activity is His loving response to fallen humanity.
God initiates and we respond. Salvation originates with God. God thought it, Jesus bought it, and the Holy Spirit wrought it.
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thess 2:13 (NIV)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care