What About This Salvation Business?
Ephesians 2:8-9
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2008Harold Dinsmore

Josh McDowell, in his book, Evidence That Demands a Verdict outlined this to a college history class.  “Many of you are saying, ‘Christ has changed your life, so what?’  One thing that has confirmed to me the resurrection of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago is the transformation of the lives of millions of people when they become related by faith to the person of Jesus.  Although they are from every walk of life and from all the nations of the world, they are changed in remarkably similar ways.  From the most brilliant professor to the most ignorant savage, when one puts his trust in Christ, his life begins to change.”

Just what is it about Christianity that is so vastly different than all the other religions of the world?  I believe that it is because the focal point is Jesus Christ.  All other religions place emphasis on works as a means of appeasing their god or gods.  They hope to prove themselves worthy of acceptance.  However, in our passage this morning, we find that notion completely cast aside.  “For it is by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”¹