Ephesians 2:4-10 [ESV]
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
We are LOVED BY GOD!
We have received GRACE (unmerited or undeserved or unearned favor).
THE GIFT OF GOD:
- Saved
- by Grace
- through Faith
- All three are not of our own doing.
- ALL THREE are the GIFT of God!
God's WORKMANSHIP (masterpiece, supreme creation demonstrating His skill).
Created to walk in good works that GOD HAS PREPARED IN ADVANCE!
Now return to 2 Timothy and ponder the GIFT OF GOD and the SPIRIT deposited in Timothy (and in us) and the WORK that we have to do. Who is the Master Potter and who is the Vessel? Which one is responsible for choosing the form and shaping the clay?
"So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" [Luke 17:10]
Far too many strut around like they are all that and a bag of chips.