Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

"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. "

One of my favorite hymns ever written is the one written by great theologian Augustus Toplady way back 18th century. It describes the vastness of God's grace and portrays the pitiful and wretched condition of man apart from the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This hymn is entitled and known in the world as the 'Rock of Ages'.

Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy laws commands

Could my zeal respite know

Could my tears overflow

These for sin could not atone;

Thou must save and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to the cross I cling

Naked, come to thee for dress;

Helpless, look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Savior or I die.

Reflection:

Without realizing your pitiful condition in the eyes of God there will be no repentance and faith on the work of Christ on the cross. Without the complete realization of sinfulness and our greatest atrocities against God, there will be no repentance. 

 We must know that apart from the cross work of the Lord Jesus Christ there will be no salvation. The ultimate portrayal of God's grace is when he placarded His own Son on Calvary. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.