GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.                                                                                                                                Ephesians 2:8-10

GOD'S PART
Two key words in this passage reflect God's part in the salvation of our souls:grace and gift. A very good definition of God's grace is "when God gives me good things I don't deserve."Mercy is when God does not give us the punishment that we do deserve. The truth of the matter is all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and none of us deserve an invitation to heaven. 

The second key word is gift. Once we have sinned we are powerless to appease the Holy God. But God loved us and while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Only a perfect sacrifice could make atonement for our sins, so God sent His beloved Son to offer Himself. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Eternal life is a free gift. We have no means of earning it. 

OUR PART
Our part is simply to accept God's free gift through faith. God said that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

WORK'S PART
Works have no part in salvation. Ephesians 2:9 lends its voice to a litany of other passages which emphasize this truth. Works may be defined as anything man is capable of doing without God's help. Religious rituals such as baptism, church membership, charitable giving, and keeping of sacraments are examples of works which cannot earn salvation. Verse 10 clarifies that good works are a natural out-flowing of the new creature we become when we get saved. 

YOUR PART
If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour please sincerely pray a prayer similar to this. 

"Dear Heavenly Father, I understand I am a sinner and I cannot pay for my sin. I believe that Jesus paid for all my sins when He died on the cross for me. I believe He was buried and rose from the dead and that He is now alive to save me. Please forgive my sins and save me. I accept Jesus as my Lord and want you to create a new person in me that will produce good works pleasing to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen." 

Scriptures referenced:Romans 3:23, 5:8, 10:9, John 3:16

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