Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Saved by Grace, Through faith

Ephesians 2v8-9 “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.”

Our eighth “Statement of Faith” is, “We believe in … The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.”

This statement is so important in our witness to the world as it applies it to each person. As I reflect, I am mindful of how this guides our sharing the gospel:

• Firstly, we can only be made right with God (“justified”) by God’s grace. Justification is something we receive despite the fact that we do not deserve it, and because we cannot earn it. This means that the gospel is open to anyone that we meet however unworthy they may be or they may feel. In fact, the less deserving they feel and the more they recognise they are a “sinner”, the better as a person needs to depend on God, not themselves. Our witness therefore needs to allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin.
• Secondly, we can only receive by trusting in Christ. He is the One to put our faith in. The gospel always points to Jesus. Only those who have faith in Christ can be justified. Therefore our witness always points to Jesus as the solution.

May the Lord enable your witness to bring fruit as people realise their need of Jesus.

With love and blessing,

Roland