Grace as God's Unmerited Gift

A company once had difficulty selling an instant cake mix that required only water to prepare. Despite the convenience, consumers were hesitant to purchase it due to its simplicity. To address this, the company revised the instructions to include adding both water and an egg, which significantly boosted sales. This suggests that consumers preferred a product that necessitated slightly more effort. Similarly, individuals may sometimes perceive simple solutions, such as God’s plan for spiritual salvation, as being overly straightforward and too simple and easy. They feel that additional actions must be required to truly be saved.

In this passage, Paul clearly explains the concept of salvation, stating that it is obtained through faith in Jesus. He emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by individual effort. According to Paul, humans are deserving of punishment due to the events described in Genesis 3, but God offers salvation as a free gift. No effort on our part, such as good works, can make us worthy of this gift. Yet some people still want to add that egg, as if they can somehow save themselves. That is impossible—only faith in Jesus can save us, so we cannot boast about it as if we have done something to earn this gift.

It’s important to recognize that justification (being declared righteous before God) happens instantaneously at the moment of belief and is permanently secured. This is distinct from the process of sanctification, which occurs throughout our Christian life as we grow in our relationship with Christ. While justification is secured by faith alone, sanctification involves our response to God’s grace through obedience and discipleship.

So, how do we apply this? While good works cannot save us or even definitely prove our salvation, they are valuable opportunities to honor God and grow as disciples. God desires our obedience not as a requirement for salvation but as a response to His grace. As believers, we have the privilege of choosing to follow Christ in discipleship, which brings rewards both in this life and in eternity. We should be the light in this world that makes unbelievers wonder what we have and desire it for themselves—not because our works prove our salvation, but because they reflect the beauty of a life transformed by grace.