(Eph 2:5 NKJV) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
(Grace is God's undeserved favour. It is a gift).
(Rom 6:23 NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Eph 2:8 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
you base alot on eph 2 so lets see what it is about!
what are the possibilities?
a) the general redemption
b) our personal salvation
eph 2:1
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
quickend or brought to life
brought to life in grace Jn 1:16
meaning that general redemption by which Christ makes our justification possible
eph 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
eph 2:9 titus 3:5 2 tim 1:9 not works
refers to the general redemption accomplished by Christ without our participation "works"
redemption is a part of the process of salvation so it is identified as salvation or the salvation in the past tense
eph 2:8 titus 3:5 2 tim 1:9 all use the past tense of salvation or "saved" all refer to the general redemption accomplished by Christ apart from us!
eph 2:8 excludes our participation in the general redemption "not of yourselves"!
eph 2:8 titus 3:5 & 2 tim 1:9 all refer to the general redemption, it’s already past tense when Paul wrote it so it refers something that has already occurred, the redemption accomplished by Christ apart from our involvement. “Not of yourselves”
not our personal salvation but the general redemption!
redemption and justification are not salvation, but parts in the process of salvation!
It does not end with justification as some think, having the gift of justice and righteousness there must be the performance of the deeds of righteousness and these are not dead works, but totally of grace!
Lk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
thks