March 08, 2012

Scripture is full of amazing, outstanding verses that unbind the soul and loosen the imagination. What is so powerful about Ephesians 2:8? “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.’ These are powerful words. They were immensely important to the early Reformers; so important, in fact, that the majority of early Protestants, including my ancestors, were willing to die for them. To them, Ephesians 2:8 symbolized their entire faith and shaped a set of beliefs that would continue to gain ground throughout the centuries. These beliefs were an important part of the “Five Solas” by which the Reformation was characterized.



With this in mind, I found a stunning sterling silver bracelet on ChristianBook.com that perfectly symbolized this simple yet life-changing and soul-affirming verse. Its delicate etching reads “Saved By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone In Christ Alone. Ephesians 2:8.” I did not expect to find a piece of jewelry that could so beautifully and heart-wrenchingly sum up not only what I believe but what my ancestors lived for, fought for, and would have willingly died for as well. It is a powerful testimony to the ongoing chain of faith I am proud to continue.


(c) 2012 Joyously Saved