The Eleventh Sermon. the Third on the Second Chapter - Ephsians 2:8-10

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10

St. Paul has previously shown us that our salvation serves as the true Mirror through which we may behold the boundless glory of God. It is His divine desire to be recognized primarily through His unfailing goodness. In pursuit of this, He revealed that God chose us even before the foundation of the world, not on account of any merit within us but to manifest His own boundless mercy. In this passage, St. Paul reinforces this concept, elucidating the profound meaning when he informed us that our adoption and God's selection of us within His eternal purpose serve to efface any semblance of self-glory. We are to acknowledge that whatever we are and any goodness we possess emanates solely from God and His benevolence.

Hence, he asserts that our salvation is a product of grace, a gift from God, and not the result of our own actions. This declaration serves to exclude any vestige of human achievement or virtue. Yet, because it is a challenging task to quell the pride that often besets us, he reiterates this point to enhance our comprehension and reaffirm its veracity. We must internalize the fact that whatever we possess or enjoy must be sought from the benevolent hand of God. Faith, a potent humbling force, obliterates any pretense of human merit, as aptly expounded in the Epistle to the Galatians. In this passage, St. Paul illustrates that faith supplants works due to our collective state of condemnation. True righteousness entails perfect obedience to God's commandments, an unattainable feat for any human. Consequently, we all stand condemned before God. Therefore, we must rely on God's grace, and as we receive it through faith, we acknowledge our profound need for Jesus Christ, recognizing our intrinsic lack of inherent goodness.

Furthermore, when St. Paul emphasizes faith in this passage, he underscores the stark reality that when we stand in the presence of God, we appear utterly bare, devoid of anything but shame and humility, awaiting God's merciful embrace. To fortify this notion, he appends that we are God's handiwork, divinely crafted in Jesus Christ for the purpose of performing good deeds, which God has preordained for us. This signifies that God, out of His boundless grace, has breathed new life into us through the agency of His Holy Spirit, rescuing us from the state of decay akin to lifeless carcasses. Thus, for anyone seeking traces of goodness within themselves, the inquiry should not center on their inherent nature or former birth, for both are ensnared by corruption. God must undertake a profound transformation within us before even a solitary drop of goodness can find its dwelling place within our souls. Consequently, we must firmly conclude that the wellspring of our salvation originates solely from the well of God's mercy, for we are utterly incapable of self-redemption.

In essence, St. Paul's message transcends a mere acknowledgment of our reliance on God's grace to ameliorate our frailties and imperfections; it pronounces our fundamental unworthiness. Our salvation is not merely augmented by God; it is initiated, sustained, and perfected by His divine hand, with no contribution required from our end. This is precisely what he conveys when he proclaims, "You are saved by grace, not of yourselves." St. Paul seeks to firmly establish that all honor and merit belong exclusively to God, cautioning against any human attempts to add to or claim credit for salvation, as such endeavors lead only to perplexity and emptiness. His ultimate aim is for us to grasp that God is the true Author of our salvation, deserving of every iota of glory and praise.

However, when he employs the term "grace," signifying God's unmerited favor, he clarifies that he seeks no rationale outside of God Himself. Thus, in the latter part of the sentence, he accentuates the word "gift," and conversely, he underscores that our endeavors contribute naught. It becomes evident, then, that since we stand impotent in isolation, it is God, in His sheer benevolence, who constitutes the fount of our salvation. Should we harbor the belief that we have made some meaningful contribution or assistance, we would unjustly strip God of His rightful domain, a grave injustice that merits forfeiture of the bounties bestowed upon us. In no manner can we offset our sins against God; at the very least, we should humbly acknowledge the blessings received as manifestations of His sheer kindness. His satisfaction lies in our humble and unadorned confession. However, should ingratitude pervade us to the extent of purloining His exclusive entitlement and acclaim, we justly warrant His total abandonment. Just as one who refuses to pay homage for his land forfeits rightful ownership. Whether in the transient realms of the world or in matters of profound import, the party that defaults on its obligation to the entity to which it is beholden incurs retribution. What then befits us when we endeavor to supplant God, usurping the credit for our salvation and arrogating His due glory? Is it not a blasphemous atrocity that renders us deserving of utter damnation? Hence, it assumes paramount significance to grasp the import of this passage: we are saved by grace, contributing nothing to it; God furnishes us with all the prerequisites for our redemption. Why, you may inquire? Because we are bereft of capacity. We possess neither virtuous deeds nor merits for self-vaunting. Furthermore, when he avers, "lest anyone should boast," we must comprehend that apportioning only a portion of our salvation to God falls short; we must extend to the point of ascribing nothing to ourselves and willingly cede all honor, reserving sole preeminence for God. This echoes through other scriptural passages, particularly Jeremiah, where it bemoans that God is not glorified as befits Him. Should we deem ourselves possessed of any intrinsic goodness, we must abase ourselves, renouncing any notions of virtue, wisdom, capability, or righteousness. None of these warrants elevation, should we aspire to preserve God's domain inviolate and consecrated to Him. Hence, the myriad alliances the world endeavors with God, predicated upon delusions and Satan's wiles, which seek to persuade us of our capacity to act independently of God, prove futile. For so long as an individual believes even a modicum of inherent goodness, utter submission to God remains elusive, and they will inflate with baseless hubris and self-reliance. Thus, Satan exacts a heavy toll when persuading us that self-sufficiency or self-attainment of salvation holds promise. His aim is to divert us from the treasures God proffers, leaving us bereft, echoing the refrain in the Virgin Mary's canticle: "He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty." We can only embrace God's grace when we yearn for it and concede our own insufficiency, as affirmed in the Psalm: "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." It becomes imperative to understand that we are prepared to receive all essential for salvation from God solely when we withhold nothing for ourselves, acknowledging that every semblance of self-exaltation warrants abandonment.

As I alluded to earlier, the world's endeavors to forge alliances with God prove fruitless. People may concede their helplessness without God's intervention, acknowledging their vulnerability in the face of Satan's temptations, even recognizing their inability to merit anything without God's provision or their desperate need for forgiveness of their sins. However, they remain hesitant to relinquish their free will entirely. They persist in the belief that they can somehow contribute, perpetually clinging to the concept of their own deservingness. While they concede that God's grace initiates their salvation, they invariably blend in a measure of their own exertion and goodwill. When they beseech God for forgiveness of sins, they come bearing their own recompense. Thus, individuals fail to accord God full and unreserved credit for their redemption. They withhold some portion, often a substantial share or more, for themselves. St. Paul advances a step further, demonstrating how we wrongfully deprive God of His due glory until we divest ourselves of all the fallacies with which the world beguiles itself. To extol God, we must acknowledge our inherent insignificance. Authentic humility or abasement does not involve the pretense, as some may misconstrue it, of designating oneself a wretched sinner and feigning utter feebleness to appease God. Instead, we must steadfastly affirm that any notions conceived within the human psyche regarding merit, free will, readiness, assistance, or atonement are utterly vacuous and diabolical delusions. Once we apprehend this verity, we can proffer the submission befitting us, and God will receive the reverence rightfully His. This transformation can transpire solely upon unequivocal abandonment of all considerations of good deeds as a means to merit God's favor.

Moreover, we must grasp that if we aspire to partake in God's proffered salvation, we must present nothing other than faith. As I have elucidated elsewhere, faith does not rely on good deeds, although it acknowledges the law. It does not proffer these as a means to bind God to us; instead, it attests to our utter emptiness, our sole reliance on His unfettered benevolence. Just as an individual in dire straits can scarcely raise a finger and possesses naught save their voice to cry out, "Help me, have mercy on me," faith dispels all self-assurance, that we may accept whatever God bestows. Thus, all adulation accrues to Him. We must remain vigilant, lest ingratitude deter us when God beckons and allures us with such gentleness. We should hasten toward Him as destitute, famished souls, eager to receive His succor because it pleases Him. Christ appeared as a prophet to many, yet their deaf ears precluded their approach to Him. Some are so immersed in the carnal pleasures of this world—wealth, honor, and indulgence in sin—that they remain indifferent to heavenly life. Others labor under the delusion that they can place God in their debt, akin to numerous hypocrites who are unable to divest themselves of their bloated self-confidence and arrogance. To safeguard against the allure of worldly pleasures and comforts that may divert us from turning our hearts to God, we must exercise faith. It constitutes the anchor to heaven. We can scarcely savor the substantial joy of faith, as expounded by St. Paul, unless we promptly traverse this world, recognizing that our true inheritance and repose await us elsewhere. We must also cast aside all frivolous imaginings that could deflect us from Jesus Christ, preventing His entry into our lives. This constitutes the salient lesson to glean from this passage.

For a deeper understanding, let us contemplate the notion that we are God's handiwork. This does not imply that God merely fashioned us and placed us in this world. Rather, it signifies that, as individuals born in the lineage of Adam, we are inherently unfit for heavenly life. Anyone who believes they can achieve salvation through their own endeavors is gravely mistaken, for in our natural state, we are akin to lifeless, decaying creatures, tainted by sin and moral decay. This truth is eloquently elucidated in the passage where we are described as being "created in Jesus Christ."

Here, St. Paul draws a parallel between the dual births experienced by all believers. We all share a common origin, a universal creation that ushers us into this world. Yet, God performs a profound renewal within us when, through His boundless grace, He bestows upon us the gift of new life via His gospel. This spiritual transformation is imprinted upon our hearts and minds through His mysterious workings, for it cannot be attained by the mere proclamation of the Word. In this context, there exists no distinction between Jews, Gentiles, pagans, and ourselves when it comes to our initial creation. We all emerge from the same primordial source, all descendants of Adam, and all inheritors of God's righteous indignation. By nature, we are burdened by a curse, a topic we have previously explored in detail. A thorough self-examination will reveal that our first birth offers nothing but a core of sin and iniquity. The wisdom we believe we possess is, in reality, folly, and the light we perceive as illuminating the path between good and evil is but obstinacy and rebellion against God's divine guidance. Our very souls are tainted and corrupted in every facet. Thus, we are compelled to ask, what can we do to earn God's favor and place Him in our debt when our every inclination is steeped in wickedness? Our helplessness merely fans the flames of His righteous wrath, and we are already deserving of eternal damnation from the moment of our birth. Even though we may perceive an infant as free from sin, the seeds of transgression dwell within them, and we are all justly condemned by our inherent guilt. Therefore, if a newborn can be rightfully condemned prior to ever glimpsing the light of this world, what judgment awaits us as we mature? St. Paul's intent in this passage is to underscore that we are the handiwork of God. In essence, he is conveying this message: "O humble creature, should you entertain the notion that you can present yourself as a valiant hero, laying claim to some measure of merit to approach God, believing that He is obligated to you, you are sorely mistaken." If you propose that your pursuit of God commenced prior to your birth, you essentially invite others to spurn you. If you argue that this pursuit occurred later, perhaps between the ages of seven and thirty, when you were illuminated by the gospel, you remain refuted, for you harbored no inclination toward goodness, and your thoughts and desires were entrenched in rebellion against God, akin to warriors waging war against His righteousness. Thus, you have contended against God from the moment of your birth. Should you trace your journey back to infancy, when you lacked the discernment to distinguish between right and wrong, yet were still a part of the cursed lineage of Adam, reason compels you to recognize your utter incapacity to turn toward God by your own volition. Consequently, any act conducted for your well-being or ascribed to your credit must be unequivocally attributed to God, devoid of any personal contribution. This is why St. Paul designates us as the handiwork of God in this passage, just as it is declared in the Psalms that those who belong to His church are also His flock. The Prophet referred to the children of Israel, whom God had chosen solely out of His boundless mercy, setting them apart from other heathen nations. God's choice of them held no other motive or justification except His own mercy, and the same principle applies to us today. When St. Paul further elucidates that we were created in Jesus Christ, the significance becomes even more pronounced. He emphasizes that our creation in Adam inexorably leads to our downfall, underscoring the imperative need for us to be entirely re-fashioned and recreated anew, specifically in the likeness of Jesus Christ, who serves as the second Adam. This nomenclature is employed by St. Paul himself in his writings, notably in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15. Therefore, the term "created" should serve as a resounding rebuttal to those who dare to boast of any inherent worthiness.

When individuals lay claim to their own self-determination and presume the capability to perform good deeds independently, they essentially position themselves as creators, inadvertently suggesting that they are self-made. This assertion is inherently blasphemous. Even those in the world who may be blind, unlearned, or physically feeble recognize the act of creation as sacred and divine, unanimously acknowledging God as the ultimate Creator and Maker of all things. Hypocrites may utter the same confession with their lips, but their true beliefs betray them as they secretly harbor the notion that their free will allows them to contribute to their own well-being and salvation. In doing so, they inadvertently deny the very first tenet of our faith, reducing God to a partial Creator. While they may verbally acknowledge God as the Creator, particularly concerning worldly life, they elevate their perceived role in securing heavenly life, imagining themselves as co-creators through their autonomous will. In essence, they arrogate the position of creatorship to themselves.

In response, some within the Papal tradition may vehemently protest that they have never harbored such blasphemous beliefs and would willingly sacrifice their lives rather than articulate such notions. However, it is essential to contemplate the relative significance of the two scenarios: the act of self-creation as mortal beings in this worldly realm and the attainment of eternal life. St. Paul unequivocally conveys that if we claim any capacity for self-achievement through free will and personal power, God is not our sole Creator. He underscores that even in matters pertaining to heavenly life, we remain His handiwork. Therefore, if we aspire to partake in the grace procured for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, we must divest ourselves of all self-assurance and acknowledge that our capacity to initiate virtuous deeds originates in God's summons, emanating from His intrinsic benevolence.

St. Paul's message is unmistakable: anyone who believes they have earned God's favor is essentially claiming to possess exceptional abilities, arrogating to themselves the role of creators. This notion is profoundly misguided, for we exist in a state of spiritual death until God quickens us through faith and the transformative work of His Holy Spirit. In our state of spiritual death, we are utterly incapable of performing righteous deeds or preparing ourselves for salvation. The term "create" in this context signifies that every aspect of our being is the result of God's creative act. Much like God brought the world into existence from nothingness, our existence itself is a testament to His divine initiative. Therefore, as we initially amounted to nothing, how can we presume to bind God into granting us this or that? Such beliefs run counter to the very fabric of our existence.

To grasp the profound truth that our salvation rests entirely upon grace, where we receive all things as manifestations of God's unmerited benevolence, we must first acknowledge that it is God who has bestowed upon us the gift of existence itself. This is exemplified in the case of Abraham, as recounted in Romans 4, where, despite his and his wife's inability to conceive, they were blessed with a son through their unwavering faith in God's promise. Similarly, we can only partake in God's grace when we openly recognize our innate inadequacy, humbly yielding to the Lord's initiation, sustenance, and ultimate perfection of our lives.

Furthermore, St. Paul's mention of being "in Jesus Christ" serves as a poignant reminder of our inherited corruption from Adam. We can only fully comprehend the weight of our guilt when we confront it within ourselves. This phrase also underscores that the divine favor is not indiscriminately dispensed but rather reserved for those whom God has personally chosen, as previously discussed. It accentuates the imperative need for a remedy, for we were already ensnared in a state of loss and damnation. Yet, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, God rescued us from our perilous condition. This underscores the inextricable link between faith and divine renewal, highlighting that faith itself is unattainable unless God graciously renews us from within.

Hence, we receive every heavenly blessing and all the spiritual riches from Him. Our creation in Jesus Christ signifies that every ounce of righteousness, wisdom, virtue, and goodness within us emanates from this divine source. God has not scattered these gifts randomly; instead, He has concentrated the entirety of what is essential for our salvation within Jesus Christ. Consequently, when we become part of His Body, we also partake in the full scope of His blessings. Apart from Him, we are severed from all dimensions of our salvation, resembling decayed and putrid branches, bearing nothing but impurity.

This underscores why Paul not only underscores that we are God's handiwork but also created in Jesus Christ for the express purpose of engaging in good works already ordained for us to walk in. In highlighting good works, Paul exposes the folly and absurdity of those who presume they can present their self-cultivated virtues and merits as if they themselves had fashioned them. Paul effectively challenges them, saying, "Go ahead, lay before God the virtues and merits you believe you have produced, as your pride remains unshaken. Display whatever you think can aid your cause."

To this, they retort, "Shouldn't we be saved through our own merits and good works? Haven't we diligently cultivated them ourselves? Haven't we labored to acquire them? Can't we elevate ourselves through their merit?" Yet Paul counters, "No, you have not prepared these works by your own hands; rather, God has prepared them for you. Would it be reasonable for you to contend against Him after He has showered you with such kindness and generosity? Can you dare to claim that you have paid your Host, even though He has supplied everything for you? It is akin to Him generously hosting you and then declaring, 'To prevent any misconception that I made you dependent, I shall accept payment from you.' In truth, the payment originates from His own benevolence. Similarly, those who put forth their good works to suggest that God did not save them freely, but that they contributed to it, are mistaken. Where could they possibly acquire these good works?"

God prepares our conduct through the law, offering us a clear and righteous path to follow according to His divine will. It's as if He paves the way for us to walk upon. However, this guidance would be ineffective if we did not also receive the very ability to perform these good works from God. When God issues His commands, we may hear them, but they often do not penetrate our hearts, as our inner selves are often tainted with pride and obstinacy. In essence, we are unable to wholeheartedly obey God's commands until He tenderly transforms and renovates our hearts. This fundamental truth is evident throughout the words of the prophets and the pages of Holy Scripture. Thus, God must make yet another form of preparation, imparting to us the knowledge of what is good and just and then gently leading us through the work of His Holy Spirit to align our lives with His divine law.

In the absence of God's preparation of good works for us by revealing His divine will and empowering us to carry them out through His celestial strength, we remain utterly impotent. Therefore, it is imperative for us to humble ourselves before God, both for what has already transpired and what lies ahead. In retrospection, we ought to acknowledge that God has plucked us from the brink of damnation. By our very nature, we were condemned, yet God has chosen us to be His beloved children. We must not be so presumptuous as to assume that our salvation is the result of our own deeds. Instead, let us exalt Him as He rightfully deserves, understanding that He has saved us solely out of His boundless and gracious benevolence.

As we contemplate the future, we should recognize that without God's guidance and the bestowal of good works through His Holy Spirit, we are powerless to accomplish any righteous deeds. Therefore, whenever we are confronted by our own weaknesses, we should seek refuge in Him. Even when we manage to perform acts of goodness, we must remain vigilant against the poison of pride and continuously acknowledge our indebtedness to God. Those who perceive themselves as weaker should openly confess their profound reliance on God's forbearance, while those who might appear more righteous must recognize an even greater dependence on Him. In truth, they possess nothing intrinsically, receiving everything from the wellspring of God's boundless and unmerited goodness.

Throughout the course of our lives, it is imperative that we maintain this unwavering awareness, continually expressing our profound gratitude to God for His boundless kindness and generosity. We should consider ourselves forever indebted to Him for all that we have received. It is vital to emphasize that the purpose of this reflection is not to compile a comprehensive list of the causes of our salvation. Rather, it is to extinguish any seeds of pride that might tempt us into thinking that God is somehow obligated to us. Therefore, St. Paul's true intent is to silence any arguments that might lead someone to believe they have earned or deserved anything from God.

God indeed showers us with good works, although they are born solely from His pure and abundant goodness. Nevertheless, these good works should never be perceived as a currency with which to purchase something from Him. Instead, our anchor should always be firmly set in the forgiveness of our sins. Our righteousness is a product of God's pardon, even though by all accounts, we rightly deserve condemnation. In essence, when we are told that human free will and any other attributes are utterly insufficient, it serves as a powerful reminder for us to channel all glory towards God and refrain from attributing anything to ourselves. This profound understanding should naturally lead us to acknowledge our perpetual reliance on God's grace and unwavering mercy.

In closing, we should eternally humble ourselves and feel a deep sense of contrition for our flaws, offering unceasing glory to God and openly confessing that, were it not for His ceaseless and boundless mercy, we would be plagued by perpetual doubt and inner turmoil. It is the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ that serves as the sacrificial offering reconciling us with God. This is the authentic path to exalt God as the true Savior of the world and to credit His grace for every blessing. We must divest ourselves of all pretensions to personal glory and wholeheartedly acknowledge that every ounce of goodness within us is a direct result of God's unwavering influence. Furthermore, we must readily admit our continual need for God's forbearance, especially considering our recurrent provocations of His righteous anger, until ultimate satisfaction is achieved through the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, let us bow in humble reverence before the boundless majesty of our benevolent God. In this sacred moment, let us bare our souls, openly confess our transgressions, and implore Him to illuminate our consciousness, revealing the depth of our sins. Through this selfexamination, may we be humbled to the point where sin finds no dwelling within us. In the interim, let us beseech the assistance and guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has already graced us with His Holy Spirit. May His grace continue to flourish within us, saturating our very being. May His divine Spirit govern our every pursuit, ensuring that our existence aligns harmoniously with His divine law. Although we find ourselves entangled in a web of ceaseless transgressions, may His hidden strength restrain us, preserving us until that sacred day when He calls us forth from this earthly realm to unite us eternally with our Lord Jesus Christ, the wellspring of all perfection. In these profound moments, let us lift our voices in prayer: "Almighty God, Heavenly Father, etc."