Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
 
Grace Is God’s Initiative
 
He loved us first (Romans 5:6, 8; 1 John 4:10, 19)! Have you ever loved someone first? If so, you took a risk of being hurt and rejected. That’s what God did. Before we asked, before we did anything, from the foundation of the world Christ was slain for the sins of all (1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 John 2:2)!
 
God in His grace provided salvation for all through the death of His son (Tit. 2:11). We cannot obtain salvation on our own without Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
 
Faith Is Man’s Response
 
We believe, we trust with our hearts, with our whole lives the One who loves us so (Hebrews 11:6)! What does this involve?
 
This involves a decision of faith—repentance (Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance means turning from sin to live for God. Compare going down a one way street the wrong way and turning around.
 
It includes a declaration of faith—confession (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10). One must declare faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world, the Son of God.
 
It calls for a demonstration of faith—baptism (Col. 2:12). There is a great deal of misunderstanding and confusion about baptism but the Bible is clear that baptism is an essential part of our coming to Christ for salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).
 
According to Romans 6, baptism not only pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (that’s why it must be an immersion) but is our own spiritual death, burial and resurrection with Christ (vv. 1-11, 17-18). When we are immersed in obedience to the gospel, we die to sin to live in it no longer, the old man of sin is buried and we are raised a new person in Christ.
 
Baptism is an act of faith whereby we experience the grace and power of God (Col. 2:12). The saving power is not in the water but in the Lord (1 Peter 3:21).
 
In baptism we are not only united with Christ but also added to His church with all the saved (Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 2:47). The same act that puts us into Christ, puts us into His spiritual body, the church of which He is head and Savior (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 5:23).
 
But, baptism is just the beginning of the new life in Christ.
 
There must also be a devotion of faith – living for Jesus every day (Luke 9:23). Trusting in God alone for his salvation, the Christian will want to be in church, study the Bible, give, pray, tell others the gospel, live a holy life and keep all the commandments of God. Seeking to live for Christ but being honest with God about his sins, he is cleansed by the blood of Christ and enjoys the fellowship of God and His church (1 John 1:5-2:2). Being faithful until death, he is assured the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

Yes, YOU can be saved by grace through faith!!!
 
2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Written by Robert Dodson