What and who saves you? What does it cost?

Question:  What and who saves you? What does it cost?  Answer:  Ephesians 2:8-9

V2:8 “The verse summarizes into one succinct statement the basis for all of the mountain-peak blessings thus described. It is all because of God’s grace. For by grace are ye saved through faith. The agency through which God’s grace is focused is thus noted. It is faith in Jesus Christ. The two concepts are interrelated. Because we are altogether lost, it is only by the grace of God that there is any hope of salvation. Our only recourse therefore is in simple faith to trust Him and His grace. Because salvation is by God’s grace, the only means of appropriating it unto ourselves is by turning to Him and trusting in Him.

Hence, it is not of ourselves. It is zero percent of us and one-hundred percent of God. Because of His wonderful grace and mercy, it is the gift of God. A gift by its very nature is offered through the grace of the giver. By its very nature, a gift is not earned nor is of compensation. Rather, it is free. It therefore can only be obtained by freely receiving it. The gospel is profound in its simplicity. It is as simple as reaching out and receiving a free gift.

V2:9 Moreover, our salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast. The word translated as boast (καυχαομαι kauchaomai) is most commonly rendered as ‘glory.’ The thought is simple. If we could some how or other merit salvation through some sort of work, then we could claim the glory rather than God. But it is not of works. Therefore, only God can receive glory for saving us.” Understanding The Bible (Sorenson)   http://www.northstarministries.com/