EPHESIANS 2:8-9 | NKJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
When it comes to Salvation many people think that they did something to be saved. Salvation comes to us as a free gift from God. Jesus Christ took ours sin upon Himself and He endured the punishment that rightfully belonged to each of us. Salvation is not something that can be earned or bought it is a gift that is given to the believer by God.
Here in Ephesians, it tells us that Salvation comes through faith. So, we must understand what faith is to understand Salvation. When you look in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Jesus Christ is no longer walking among us. He died on the cross and rose from the dead and is now at the right hand of God. Faith is believing without seeing. We can not physically see Jesus Christ, but we see the evidence of Him throughout this world. If you do not place your faith in Christ, you are placing your faith in this world. Faith in Christ brings Salvation and faith in the world brings forth condemnation.
In the book of Romans chapter 1 verse 20 it tells us that we are without excuse. It also tells us that we have and are the creation of God, that through creation we have been given the evidence we need to have the faith to receive the grace that only comes to us by the Savior, Jesus Christ. God did not give us the punishment we deserve but replaced our punishment with Grace. But understand this, Grace is a limited offer, only offered to us while we are here on earth. When you breathe your last breath you either belong to Jesus Christ and will be with Him in paradise or you don’t, and the wrath of God awaits you.