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Saved by Grace Alone: God’s Work From Beginning to End
Salvation is not something we earn, deserve, or accomplish through human effort. It is the gracious work of God from beginning to end.
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In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what it means to be saved by grace alone. Looking to Ephesians 2 and Titus 3, he shows that God takes the initiative in salvation, meets sinners in their deepest need, and receives all the glory for saving His people through Jesus Christ.
Salvation Begins With God
Scripture gives an honest assessment of humanity. We are lost, guilty, spiritually dead, and unable to save ourselves. That is why grace is so glorious. God does not save sinners because they are worthy. He saves because He is merciful and gracious.
Ephesians 2 teaches that believers are saved by grace through faith, not as a result of works. Titus 3 reminds us that salvation comes according to God’s mercy, not because of righteous deeds we have done.
Grace Meets Sinners in Their Deepest Need
Christ accomplished redemption at the cross. God gives new life to spiritually dead sinners. Believers are justified through faith in Christ. Every blessing of salvation flows from the saving grace of God.
Salvation is not partly God’s work and partly our own. It is God’s work from beginning to end.
Grace Produces Humility and Worship
When we understand God’s grace rightly, pride begins to disappear. Salvation is not a reward for good people. It is a gift to undeserving sinners. Grace produces gratitude, humility, worship, and dependence on the Lord.
Because salvation is God’s work, believers can rest confidently in Christ. The gospel is good news because salvation is freely given through Jesus Christ alone.
Scripture References
- Ephesians 2:1–10
- Titus 3:3–7
- Romans 3:23–24
For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit our page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
