By Grace Through Faith: Understanding Salvation - Ephesians 2:8-10
The Heart of the Gospel
Ephesians 2:8-10 contains what many consider one of the clearest statements of the gospel in all of Scripture:
"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, and to good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
In this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these three verses summarize Paul's entire argument in the first seven verses of Ephesians 2. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states that "there is no more important doctrinal statement anywhere in the epistle" and that this passage is "determinative in all evangelism" and must "determine our entire practice of the Christian life."
Salvation: Entirely of God's Grace
The central theme Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds is that salvation is entirely and solely the result of God's grace. He reminds us that grace means "unmerited, undeserved favor." This fundamental proposition reveals that salvation:
- Comes entirely from God's side
- Comes to us in spite of us, not because of us
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that salvation "is not in any sense God's response to anything in us. It is not something that is our due. It is not something that we in any sense deserve or merit."
He powerfully articulates why this is so vital to understand:
"The whole glory of salvation is that though we deserve nothing but punishment and hell and banishment out of the sight of God to all eternity, instead of that God, of his own love and grace and wondrous mercy, has granted us this salvation."
No Ground for Boasting
Building on this foundation, Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses how the fact that we are Christians gives us no grounds whatsoever for boasting. This truth is expressed negatively to reinforce the positive statement about grace.
As Lloyd-Jones explains, "This must always be the crucial test of our view of salvation and of what makes ourselves Christians... Does your idea as to how you've become a Christian give you any grounds whatsoever for being proud of yourself for boasting? Does it in any way reflect credit upon you? If it does, according to this statement... you are not a Christian."
Lloyd-Jones references Romans 3, where Paul asks, "Where is boasting, then?" and answers, "It is excluded." Lloyd-Jones declares that if there is anything left in us of which we feel we can boast in the presence of God, it's a denial of Christianity—the opposite of true faith.
Works Cannot Save
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two particular areas where Christians are most susceptible to boasting: works and faith.
Regarding works, he observes that the Pharisees were Christ's greatest enemies, precisely because they actually performed good deeds. "When that Pharisee says, 'I fast twice in the week,' he was speaking the truth. When he said, 'a tenth of my goods I give to the poor,' it was absolutely accurate." Their opposition stemmed from their reliance on these works.
The Doctor makes this sobering observation: "Is it going too far to say that it's always more difficult to convert a good person than a bad one? I think the history of the church proves that the greatest opponents of evangelical religion have always been good and religious people."
Why? Because the evangelical gospel "denounces works and pride of works and boasting about works." Lloyd-Jones states plainly that "the gospel makes paupers of us all. It condemns us everyone."
Faith Is Not a Work
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses a common misunderstanding about faith ― that believing itself saves us. He corrects this error:
"Faith is not the cause of salvation. Christ is the cause of salvation. The grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ is the cause of salvation. And I must never speak in such a way as to represent faith as the cause of my salvation."
Instead, faith is "the instrument through which it comes to me" and "the channel... through which this salvation, which is of the grace of God, comes to me."
He emphasizes, "I must never speak of my faith in a way that makes it of myself... I am saved by grace through faith. Faith is just the medium through which the grace of God bringing salvation to me enters into my life."
We Are God's Workmanship
In the final section of this sermon, Dr. Lloyd-Jones focuses on the positive declaration that Christians are "God's workmanship." This reality stands in stark contrast to the common, inadequate conception of Christianity.
"My friends, the real trouble with us is that our conception of what it is that makes us Christian is so low, it's so poor. It's our failure to realize the greatness of being a Christian."
The Doctor explains that a Christian is not merely someone who has decided to follow Christ or adopted a religious lifestyle. Rather, "A Christian is something that's been brought into being by God... He's a new man. The life of God has come into his soul, created in Christ."
Good Works: The Result, Not the Cause
Dr. Lloyd-Jones powerfully corrects the misunderstanding about the relationship between good works and salvation:
"It's exactly the opposite. God makes Christians in order that we may do good works, not good works leading to Christianity, but Christianity leading to good works."
This addresses a common error in thinking: "People think, if I only do this and I don't do that, and I live a good life, and I go out and help others by these good works, I will become a Christian. I will make myself a Christian."
Lloyd-Jones, paraphrasing the apostle, exclaims, "Dear me, says Paul, what blindness!" He clarifies that God makes us Christians so that we may do good works—not the other way around.
The Security of Salvation
The sermon concludes with a powerful affirmation of the security we have in Christ because salvation is entirely God's work:
"If it were left to me or left to any one of you, there'd be no hope at all. Who are we to face the world and the flesh and the devil? But thank God, it is by grace we are his workmanship. We're in his hands. And if he started working in you, he'll go on with it until it's completed."
This security rests in God's commitment to complete what He has begun. Lloyd-Jones assures us that if God is "making you after the image of Christ, he'll go on with it until every spot and wrinkle and every such thing shall have gone forever. And we shall stand in the presence of God, faultless and blameless and with exceeding joy."
Conclusion
Dr. Lloyd-Jones' exposition of Ephesians 2:8-10 remains as relevant today as when it was first preached. In a world of self-help and achievement, the gospel's message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone stands as a beacon of hope.
As the Doctor concludes: "Thank God it's not of works. Thank God it's not my belief. Thank God there is nothing of which I can boast. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified unto me, and I unto the world, by grace, through faith."
This is the heart of Christianity—not our work for God, but God's work for us and in us. It is the only foundation upon which we can build a life of true good works that honor Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "by grace through faith" mean in Ephesians 2:8?
"By grace through faith" means that salvation is entirely God's undeserved gift (grace) that we receive through the channel or instrument of faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that grace is "unmerited, undeserved favor" and faith is not the cause of salvation but the means by which we receive it.
Are we saved by faith or by grace?
We are saved by grace through faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones clarifies that "Christ is the cause of salvation. The grace of God in the Lord Jesus Christ is the cause of salvation." Faith is simply the channel through which this grace comes to us.
What is the relationship between grace, faith, and works in salvation?
Grace is the source of salvation, faith is the channel through which we receive it, and good works are the result of salvation, not its cause. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, "God makes Christians in order that we may do good works, not good works leading to Christianity, but Christianity leading to good works."
Why does Paul emphasize that salvation is "not of yourselves" and "not of works"?
Paul emphasizes these negatives to ensure we understand that salvation gives us no grounds for boasting. If salvation were based on anything we do or contribute, we could take credit. But true salvation leaves no room for human pride.
What does it mean to be "God's workmanship"?
To be God's workmanship means that the Christian is God's creation, someone who has been made new by God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "a Christian is someone that's been brought into being by God" and is "a new man" with "the life of God" in his soul.
How should understanding salvation by grace through faith affect our daily lives?
Understanding salvation by grace through faith should produce humility, gratitude, and security. We recognize that we contribute nothing to our salvation, which leads to thankfulness for God's mercy and confidence that He will complete what He has begun in us.