209. Saved by Grace
Ephesians 2:5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)
This promise of quickening completes the sentence begun in verse 1, but the new promise is given in parentheses: saved by grace. The promise is that we are saved, not will be, not were, but presently are saved; we are perpetually in a state of salvation, or in a state of grace.
We are saved from Sin, from its penalty, from its corruption, from its condemnation, and from its guilt. We are not presently saved from the presence of sin and its temptations, for sin still remains as long as we are in the world and in the flesh. We struggle regularly against sin with faith and the power of the Spirit. We will be, for sure, saved from its presence in eternity when the soul and body are transformed through death and resurrection.
We are saved from Death, from the Second Death, from the finality of death, and from the fear of death. We will still die when the soul separates from the body, this much is certain, but we shall see the reunion of the soul and body that lives before God forever without end; and then there is no more the prospect or even the presence of death
We are saved from the Devil, from his lies and deceptions, from his temptations, from his threats, and from his condemnation. He is no longer a master and prince who has control of our lives. We still give in to his lies and deceptions, but we may turn again back to God, renounce the devil, and regain the Lord’s good control of our lives.
Salvation is real and it is wonderful and free; and it is by Grace. Grace is the means of salvation, the instrument through which salvation comes to us; salvation comes through the means of grace, namely, the Gospel through Word and Sacraments. Grace means it is free for us, but grace is not free: it is extremely expensive and very precious; the cost is the innocent suffering and death of Jesus Christ; it costs blood. And it is completely paid for, meaning that nothing is left for us to do. It is finished. Grace means that Jesus earns salvation, and He gives to us what He earned. Grace is earned by Christ, but unearned by us. Grace = God did it all. Grace is the earning, the paying for, the deserving, the working for salvation; and it is the giving, distributing, sealing, and securing of salvation. Grace is great and free, but it is hard to believe. Thus it is a promise to be received by simple faith in Christ. Believe the Gospel.