People are saved by grace through faith—as God's gift, never by works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves—it is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast. Les Feldick teaches that faith is simply believing, nothing else, and that God does everything needed for salvation once a person believes.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — This is the exact passage in question, stating plainly that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “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.” Scripture explicitly ties salvation to grace and faith, excludes works, and gives the reason: so no one can boast. It also says the gift is “not of yourselves,” meaning it is not produced by human effort. The following verse, Ephesians 2:10, adds that believers are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works—showing that good works result from salvation rather than cause it.
Les Feldick stresses that salvation is by grace through faith, and faith is simply “believing, nothing else” [Clip 1]. He compares believers to Israel at the Red Sea: they could not do anything to save themselves, and God did everything that needed to be done [Clip 1, Clip 2]. Salvation is the gift of God, and a true gift cannot be worked for [Clip 2, Clip 7]. Les also warns that adding any work—church membership, baptism, or any other effort—to the gospel turns it into payment and cancels the work of the cross [Clip 5, Clip 6]. After salvation, believers are God's workmanship, created anew for the works God planned; we work after salvation, never for it [Clip 1, Clip 4, Clip 7].
Les Feldick explains that grace is “the unmerited favor of God,” and faith is the vehicle that receives it. He says, “Grace has made it possible, but faith is the vehicle.” By grace are we saved through faith; it is not of ourselves [Clip 2, Clip 5]. Faith is simply believing—nothing else [Clip 1].
Paul's reason is “lest any man should boast.” Les Feldick applies it directly: if we could work for a gift, it would no longer be a gift; it would become payment. People cannot join enough churches, go through enough baptisms, or do anything else to earn salvation. God saves completely by His grace when a person simply receives it by faith [Clip 2, Clip 5, Clip 7].
Les Feldick warns that “as soon as we add something to that, Galatians 5 tells us, we cancel the work of the cross.” He says millions of church-going people have missed heaven's glory because they added something to “faith plus nothing” with regard to the gospel. He also quotes Paul's point that to him that worketh not, but believeth on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness—showing God justifies those who do nothing for salvation but believe [Clip 6].
Even though the question centers on verses 8-9, Les says verse 10 is the other side of salvation. After saving us, God does not leave us like a wreck; He makes us a new person. In the Greek, “workmanship” is “poema,” the root of “poem.” Just as a poem is beautifully put together, God creates the believer anew. We are “His workmanship” and can work after salvation, but not for it [Clip 1, Clip 4, Clip 7].
Why Most People Miss Who Jesus Really Is — Colossians 1:15 Explained
their generation. I mean, they had the same mentality that Jonah had. And you all know Jonah. He'd rather walk the plank as go to a Gentile city. And their attitude hadn't changed. And now God tells Ananias this man is going to go to the Gentiles. Boy, I'll bet Ananias swallowed hard. And it hadn't been that he thought, well, maybe that's better than having to go back as a captive of the guy.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Les teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, and faith is 'believing, nothing else'; God does everything after we believe.
Grace and Faith, Not Human Effort
Les explains that grace is unmerited favor, we are saved through faith, and it is not anything we can do—just as Israel could not cross the Red Sea by their own strength.
Faith Plus Nothing Until Saved
Les highlights that Paul's 'law of faith' is without works; faith is 'plus nothing' until salvation, and works follow afterward.
God's Workmanship After Saving
Les shows that after faith, God imputes His righteousness to us and begins making us a new person—His workmanship.
Faith Is the Vehicle, Works Can't Save
Les says faith is the vehicle that receives the gift of salvation; church membership and baptisms are not things that can make it a gift.
Adding Works Cancels the Work of the Cross
Les warns that adding anything to faith-plus-nothing regarding the gospel cancels the work of the cross, and God justifies those who 'worketh not' but believe.
Salvation Is a Gift and We Are His Workmanship
Les compares salvation to a true gift: you cannot work for it. After salvation, believers are God's 'workmanship'—a poem—created for His purpose.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
This is the opening assertion: salvation comes by grace through faith, not from ourselves.
Ephesians 2:9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This explicitly excludes human works so no one can claim credit.
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This shows the believer is God's creation for good works that follow salvation.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Les uses this verse to show God justifies those who do nothing for salvation but believe.
No. Ephesians 2:9 says 'Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Les Feldick explains that salvation is a gift; if you work to pay for a gift it is no longer a gift. You can work after salvation, but not for it.
Les says faith is 'believing, nothing else.' Salvation is by grace through faith; you do not add church membership, baptism, or any other work to receive it.
Les warns that adding anything to 'faith plus nothing' with regard to the gospel cancels the work of the cross. He says millions who trust in their own efforts are in danger of missing heaven's glory.
Watch the Teaching: Why Most People Miss Who Jesus Really Is — Colossians 1:15 Explained