Saved First

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1–10

 

As I began reading Exodus during my quiet time, the grace of our Lord Jesus filled my heart afresh.  The Lord first rescued the Israelites from Egypt and then gave them the Ten Commandments to obey.  It is still the same today. Just as we are we can come to the Lord. He saves us first, and then calls us to live as His covenant people.

 

Before giving the Ten Commandments, God reminded Israel of what He had already done:

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Exodus 20:2).  Only after this declaration did God give them the laws.

 

The order is significant. Grace came before the law. Redemption came before obedience. God did not say that the people had to obey Him first for Him to deliver them.  

The same principle is found in the New Testament. Paul says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith... not of works" (Ephesians 2:8–9).  Jesus said: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

 

We cannot earn salvation through good works, religious activities, or obedience. Salvation is God's gracious gift through faith in Jesus Christ. But Paul does not stop there. He continues:

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).  Good works are therefore not the root of our salvation; they are the fruit of our salvation.

 

Our obedience is a response to God's love and grace. 

 

We do not obey God so that He will love us; we obey because He has already loved us and saved us.  This changes the way we look at Christian living. We do not begin each day trying to earn God's acceptance. We begin the day remembering that we are already His children through Christ. From that position of grace, we should gladly and willingly obey His Word.

 

My friend, grace does not eliminate obedience; grace produces obedience. The God who brought Israel out of Egypt is the same God who has brought us out of the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ. Having been redeemed, may we live each day with grateful hearts in willing obedience.

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me by Your grace through Jesus Christ. Help me never to take Your grace for granted, but to respond with grateful hearts and lives of loving obedience to Your Word. Amen.

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