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or it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can
boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. A number of years ago researchers in Dallas, Texas, found that a majority of people believed in heaven and thought they would go there after death. When asked what they thought a person had to do to go to heaven, those surveyed gave a wide range of answers. Some said a person only had to believe in God. Others indicated that some sort of religious activity was necessary. The survey revealed that while most people believe in and want to go to heaven, they don’t agree about how to get there. Paul gives us the map in this passage. The experience of salvation and heaven involves two things: grace and faith. “Grace” means that God has done for us what we desperately need, don’t deserve, and couldn’t do for ourselves. Grace prompted Jesus to die for rebels like us. “Faith” involves trusting God to forgive our sins and give us the hope of eternal life in heaven. Grace and faith constitute the complete opposite of hopelessly trying to earn salvation through good works. When Jesus cam to earth, died, and rose from the dead, he took what you deserve to you could get what you don’t deserve. And you can receive it now by telling God you want to trust Jesus alone for forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. If you have taken that step of faith, read over Romans 8 for a few words of encouragement.
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