Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

Yesterday I laid out as plainly as I could the three parts of salvation, confession, repentance and surrender. In one sense we did something but it should not be confused with any effort greater than that effort required in receiving a gift.

We receive a gift on a personal level. We do not take someone else’s gift; we take our own. We unwrap the gift to see what is inside. We then take it with us and make it part of our life.

Now then, how precious is that gift?

Job 28:13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

The value of a gift is not found in the cost; it is found in the respect of the receiver. How do you treat this gift of salvation which you have received? Do you put it back in its box and hide it in a special place where you alone can enjoy it privately? Do you put it in a display case for all to see but cannot touch?

Do you show everyone how it works, take it apart and allow others to examine the inner workings? Do you use it as it was intended? Do you care for it as any skilled craftsman would clean and sharpen his tools? What exactly does this free gift mean to you?

I have a wedding band which my wife gave me. It is heavy, and special, and I feel its presence on my hand always. I never take it off. It says I am hers. It is a constant reminder of our relationship. It is more than a symbol, a signet, it is part of who I am, especially when we are not together.

Precious is my salvation in that same way.

The law was sent to convince you of transgression. The law cannot save you, being convinced cannot save you. So here is the answer to how we get saved.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

My heart was broken. This was not an issue of the mind, it went to the core of who I was as a sinner, the most profound feelings of regret that caused my very heart to ache. That was step one of three.

Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

I turned from my evil ways, gave them up, and committed myself to do right. That was step two.

Ephesians 2:15-16 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. RSV

I surrendered, bringing an end to the hostilities between me and God, the war was over.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The interesting part in all this was that God had given me the faith to be saved but until I took these three steps I did not recognize that I was saved by faith. I did not know I had faith at my disposal. But when the Comforter came, I came to know faith saved me.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

You have the faith to be saved if you will use it in these three steps.