These very famous verses wonderfully summarises how someone is saved. Paul says it is by grace (v8), which means it is totally down to the action of God to the underserving and helpless.

When grace enters someone’s life it produces faith in Jesus in their heart. Paul is clear that this faith is a ‘gift of God’, it does not come from the person themselves but from the work of the Holy Spirit. This further emphasises the truth that salvation is ‘all of the Lord’.

As this is true all the glory in salvation must go to the Lord and not in any way to the person being saved (v9).

Do you understand, if you have been saved, the reason why you have responded to the Gospel is all because of grace? The difference between you and those who have not responded to the Gospel is entirely God’s grace.

People who are saved, have become what they are because they are God’s workmanship (v10). God has worked in them to change them with the desire and purpose that they will live a life of good works.

In all this God has His plans and purposes. The Christian needs to realise that their life is not their own, they have been bought at a price. We need to seek God’s will for our lives so as to live for His glory and honour.