The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift from God that cannot be earned by human effort or good works. This gift is made possible through God’s grace and mercy and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Here is an overview of key biblical truths about salvation as a gift from God:
Salvation Cannot Be Earned
The Bible clearly states that salvation cannot be earned through human effort or good works. Verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 state, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” Romans 4:4-5 also contrasts earning versus believing, stating that if salvation could be earned, faith would be irrelevant.
Human effort cannot earn salvation because all people are sinful and fall short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Even our best deeds are still tainted by selfish motives and imperfect follow-through. We can never merit salvation through our own righteous acts (Isaiah 64:6). This is why salvation must be a free gift from God, not something we can earn.
Salvation Comes by God’s Grace
Since we cannot earn salvation, the only way it can be extended to us is by God’s grace. Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor and kindness that we could never deserve. Verses like Ephesians 2:8 emphasize salvation is a “gift of God” and 2 Timothy 1:9 states that God “saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.”
God’s grace is manifested through the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Romans 3:24 says we are “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace is essential because we need mercy and pardon for our sins in order to be made right with God and receive the gift of eternal life (Titus 3:7).
Salvation is Received by Faith Alone
Although God freely extends the gift of salvation to us, we must receive it by faith. Passages like Romans 3:28 state, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Salvation is not automatically applied – it must be personally received by trusting in Jesus Christ.
Saving faith involves three key elements: 1) Believing the truth about Jesus Christ and the gospel, 2) Turning from sin in repentance, and 3) Placing our trust in Jesus alone for salvation. Faith is opposed to trying to earn salvation through good works or human effort. Verses like Romans 4:5 say, “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
Saving faith believes that we are justified by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, not by our own merits (Galatians 2:16). When we place our faith in Christ for salvation, we experience regeneration, or new spiritual life within (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We Do Good Works Because of Salvation, Not for Salvation
Some wonder if emphasizing salvation as a free gift excludes the importance of good works. However, the Bible teaches that while good works cannot earn salvation, they definitely follow after salvation. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Doing good works is the inevitable fruit of a genuine faith that results in a changed heart (James 2:14-26). A person who has truly trusted in Christ will demonstrate the reality of their faith by a changed life characterized by good deeds. These deeds do not save us but they confirm we are saved.
The good news of salvation is that while we were dead in sin, God mercifully intervened to make us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5). As a result, we can now walk in the good works God has foreordained for us, bringing glory to Him.
Receiving the Gift of Salvation
Have you received God’s gift of salvation by trusting in Jesus Christ? The Bible assures that this gift is freely offered to all who will place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Salvation cannot be earned by human effort. Instead, we must humble ourselves, repent of sin, and believe the gospel.
When we do this, God promises to forgive us, cleanse us, redeem us from sin, and grant us eternal life. He adopts us as His beloved children and begins a lifelong process of transforming us to be more like Jesus. If you have not already, receive the gift of salvation today by trusting in Jesus!
The gift of salvation affects every area of our lives, both now and for eternity. Those who receive it can rejoice, knowing their sins are forgiven, they have a relationship with God as His children, and they will spend eternity with Him. This free gift is available to all – have you received it by faith in Jesus Christ?
Key Aspects of Salvation as a Gift:
- Cannot be earned by human effort or good works
- Made possible only by God’s grace
- Must be received through faith in Jesus Christ
- Results in new spiritual life, a changed heart
- Leads to good works done out of love for God
- Offers forgiveness, redemption from sin
- Grants eternal life with God as dearly loved children
Common Questions about Salvation as a Gift
What about repentance – don’t I need to repent and commit to obeying God?
Yes, repentance is an important part of true saving faith. We turn from sin and commit our lives to following Jesus. However, this repentance is made possible by God’s grace and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our commitment to obey is a result of salvation, not a requirement to earn salvation.
Why do some verses say we are rewarded for our good deeds if salvation is a gift?
There are different kinds of rewards and “wages” in the Bible. Eternal life is a free gift of God that cannot be earned. However, there are other rewards for perseverance, overcoming temptation, and living by faith that believers can earn and be compensated for in various ways by God.
Don’t some verses suggest faith is also a divine gift we receive from God?
Yes, there is a divine enabling and awakening work of the Holy Spirit that prompts and draws us to place saving faith in Christ. However, the Bible speaks of faith in Jesus as our human response to the free gift of salvation. God enables us to believe but we are the ones who do the believing.
God’s prevenient grace goes before our faith, but this grace is resistible. We must humble ourselves and respond in faith to receive the gift of salvation. Salvation is free but not forced upon anyone against their will.
If salvation is a free gift, why should I bother trying to live a godly life?
This objection shows a misunderstanding of grace. Far from excusing ungodly behavior, the goodness of God actually empowers holiness (Titus 2:11-14). Further, God disciplines and prunes those He loves to nurture fruitfulness in them (Hebrews 12:3-11). While we don’t obey to earn salvation, obedience pleases God and benefits us.
Believers are called to pursue godliness out of love, gratitude and the transforming effect of saving faith – not legalistic compulsion (1 John 4:19). Obedience brings great joy and reward.
What role do emotions play in salvation? Can I only believe if I “feel” saved?
We are saved by faith in the promises of God’s Word, not by emotions. However, once we are saved we will feel joy, peace, relief, assurance and other emotions from the Holy Spirit. But emotions should not be confused with saving faith. We trust in Christ even when we don’t “feel” saved.
That being said, a total lack of changed affections could indicate a lack of genuine faith. While emotions waver, the promises of God and the quiet witness of the Spirit remain firm anchors for our faith.
Verses on Salvation as a Gift
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:” (2 Peter 1:1)
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'” (John 11:25-26)
In Conclusion…
Salvation is a free gift from God that we cannot earn. It flows from God’s generous grace and must be received by faith in Jesus Christ. When we trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord we are forgiven, redeemed, and granted eternal life as God’s dearly loved children. This amazing gift transforms every part of our lives, both now and for eternity.