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Word of Life

Thank you for your question. Matthew 7:21 reminds us that true faith in Jesus Christ is not merely lip service, but it should be accompanied by a life that aligns with God's will. The verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands as evidence of genuine faith. However, it is crucial to understand that our salvation is not earned by our works or obedience alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Salvation is a result of God's grace and our faith in Jesus Christ. When pastors preach that we are saved by believing in Jesus, they are aligning with the biblical teaching of salvation by faith alone. Matthew 7:21 does not contradict this teaching but rather emphasizes that genuine faith is evidenced by a life of obedience to God's will. It is important to maintain a balanced understanding of Scripture. We are saved by grace through faith alone, but true faith will produce a transformed life marked by love, obedience, and a desire to do God's will. May we continually seek to grow in faith and obedience, relying on God's grace as we strive to live out His will.

Bible Commentary

In Ephesians 2:8-9, the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of God's grace in our salvation. He declares that it is by grace, not our own efforts or works, that we are saved. This means that our salvation is a gift from God, freely given to us through His love and mercy. We cannot earn or deserve it through our own actions or good deeds. It is solely through faith in Jesus Christ that we receive this gift of salvation. This verse reminds us that our salvation is not something we can boast about or take credit for, but rather it is a result of God's incredible grace and love for us. In this passage, Paul also emphasizes the contrast between grace and works. He states that it is not by our works that we are saved, so that no one can boast. This highlights the fact that our salvation is not based on our own merit or achievements, but solely on God's grace. Our good works are important and should flow from our faith, but they do not earn us salvation. Instead, they are a response to the grace we have received. This verse serves as a reminder that our salvation is a gift that we receive by faith, and it is not something that we can earn or achieve on our own. Overall, Ephesians 2:8-9 is a powerful reminder of the central role of God's grace in our salvation. It emphasizes that our salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, and not something that we can earn or boast about. This verse encourages us to humbly acknowledge our dependence on God's grace and to respond with gratitude and a life of good works that flow from our faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before you with gratitude for the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We thank you for your grace, which is the source of our salvation, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9. Lord, we seek understanding regarding the verse in Matthew 7:21. We acknowledge that salvation is not earned by our works, but solely by your grace through faith. We understand that true faith in Jesus Christ will result in a transformed life, producing good works as evidence of our faith. We believe that doing your will is a natural response to our faith, but it does not earn our salvation. We pray for discernment and wisdom for pastors as they preach the Gospel. May they proclaim the truth that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, while also emphasizing the importance of living a life that aligns with your will. Help us to understand that our works are a reflection of our faith, not a means of earning salvation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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