Wages and Gifts

Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV

8 for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith?and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God?
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.


Introduction: There are particular aspects in Christianity that make it different from other religions. Generally, in all religions the condition for salvation consists in human deeds. People are taught that salvation must be gained by self-discipline, a moral life, and religious righteousness. In Christianity, however, salvation is based only on faith in Jesus. I want to explain this under the title, “Wages and Gifts.”
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1. Wages.
　　1) Wages are obtained as a reward for labor.
　　2) Wages may vary according to the quality and quantity of labor.
　　① Physical labor.
　　② Mental labor.
　　3) To improve the quality of labor.
　　① Higher education.
② Improvement in skills.
　　4) No work, no wages (2Th 3:10).


2. Gifts.
　　1) Gifts are received by grace free of charge (Jas 1:17; Eph 2:8-9).
　　2) Gifts are given because the giver wanted to give them (Ro 9:16).
　　3) A receiver faithfully receives a gift with thanksgiving (Ps 50:23).
　　4) God's gift (Jn 3:16; Ro 8:32).
　　① Only by faith?does not require qualification.
　　② Only through thanksgiving.
　　③ Received once for all (Mt 11:28-30).


3. Gifts through the Cross of Jesus.
　　1) Fivefold Gospel, Threefold Blessing, the fourfold position of human beings (Isa 53:5-6; 3Jn 1:2; 1Pe 2:9).
　　2) Received once for all through faith and thanksgiving (Ro 10:9; 2Th 2:13).
　　3) Development of fourth dimension spirituality and thanksgiving.
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Conclusion: The gift of God’s grace is not given to us as a reward for our deeds. Rather, it is a blessing given to us free of charge through His mercy. That is why we have nothing to boast. We must glorify God forever and give Him thanks.


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