Dr. Ironside was once approached by a lady who offered to tell his fortune. He replied that he had a book in his pocket that told her past, present, and future. Surprised, she asked what book that might be. He immediately produced a New Testament.

Our text presents the life story of any Christian. We were all dead in trespasses and sins before being born again and at that time lived under bondage to the lusts of the flesh. As Paul puts it, we “were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Had it not been for the entrance of the love and grace of God, we would have been without hope.

The grace of God flows out of His love and offers completely unmerited favor. We deserve hell, but through His grace we gain heaven. We deserve to be eternally separated from God, but through His grace we will be with Him forever.

As wonderful as the grace of God is, it would be frustrated apart from the death of Christ on the cross as our substitute. Even grace could not provide another way of salvation. The songwriter was correct: “Grace Is Flowing From Calvary.”

Those saved by grace are the workmanship of God, ordained to walk in good works. The purpose of our good works is given in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”