Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Paul tells us that our salvation is not the product of any natural abilities, but instead is a gift of God. The salvation gained from God excludes any boasting we might do about ourselves, but instead points to the love, mercy and grace of God. God created us a new person in Jesus Christ that we might be able to live out the good things God planned for us from the beginning.

There are those who believe life is like a bank account. When good deeds are performed deposits are made and when sin is committed withdrawals are made and at the end of life the bank account will be reviewed. For me that would be a very frustrating life. How does one know if the good deeds outweigh the sins? How does one know how much good must be performed? How does one know if the wrong sin might put them in spiritual bankruptcy? How does one know if it there might be a need for 10 atta boys to make up for one oops, I sinned? It becomes a self judging way of life where one might even start to delude themselves. They will begin to believe they are doing good just to feel like the balance of good and sin is working out. The words of Ephesians tell us salvation is a gift of God and not something we can earn by carrying a bank account of deeds. Our only option is a faith in Christ that wipes clean any sin, past, present or future. The same faith allows us to carry out the good works God intended us to perform. Are you living by faith or by works? I pray you read the words of Ephesians 2:8-10 to see how God wants you to live.