God saves us from our hopeless state entirely by His grace through faith in Christ — our part is only to believe, not to work.
Ephesians 2 says we were dead in trespasses and sins, and Romans 5 says we were without strength. Just as Israel stood still at the Red Sea while God opened the way, we cannot rescue ourselves. God saves us by His grace through faith, not by works, so all the glory belongs to Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — Directly states that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works — the core answer to how God saves.
Ephesians 2:4-5 — Shows that God, rich in mercy and great love, makes spiritually dead sinners alive with Christ.
Romans 5:6 — Confirms that before salvation we were without strength and Christ died for the ungodly.
Ephesians 2 begins by describing our condition before salvation: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Verses 4-5 give the turning point: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)". Ephesians 2:8-9 states the method: "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." Romans 5:6 adds, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Ephesians 2:10 then shows the result: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Les repeatedly pictures our lost condition as Israel trapped on the shores of the Red Sea — the Egyptian army behind, populated areas or mountains on the sides, and the sea in front. He says God did not tell Israel to build bridges or find something that floats; He told them to stand still because there was nothing they could do. God's mercy then opened the Red Sea, and Les calls that salvation ([Clip 1], [Clip 2]). He applies it directly to us: before salvation we were without strength, without hope, helpless, and dead in trespasses and sins, and God does everything that needs to be done. Les emphasizes Ephesians 2:8-9 over and over: by grace are we saved through faith, and that not of ourselves — it is the gift of God, not of works. Faith, he says, is simply believing; we do not do anything to earn it. God performs the miracle of salvation and gives us a new nature ([Clip 3], [Clip 4], [Clip 5]). Even Saul, the persecutor, was saved purely by grace: he did not deserve it, work for it, or do anything for it; he simply called out to God ([Clip 6]). Because salvation is a gift, Les asks, do you work for a gift? Never ([Clip 7]).
Les describes Israel's position at the Red Sea as completely locked in: the Egyptian army behind, populated areas or mountains on the sides, and the sea in front. God's command was "stand still" — not "build bridges" or "find something that floats." There was nothing Israel could do, and God's mercy opened the sea. Les says this is exactly our position before salvation: without strength, without hope, helpless, and dead in trespasses and sins ([Clip 1], [Clip 2]).
Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves — it is the gift of God, not of works. Les explains that faith is believing, nothing else; because we can do nothing, we simply believe, and God does everything needed. Salvation is totally the work of God. Even Saul, the persecutor, did not deserve it or work for it; he only called out to God and everything needed had already been accomplished at the cross ([Clip 4], [Clip 5], [Clip 6], [Clip 7]).
Immediately after saying we are saved not of works, Ephesians 2:10 says we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Les says salvation is not just relief from hell; God has a purpose — a dramatic turnaround and new lifestyle. But that change comes after God performs the miracle of salvation; it never becomes the basis of salvation ([Clip 4], [Clip 5]).
The Hopeless Position at the Red Sea
Les sets up Ephesians 2 by describing hopeless Israel and the lost sinner as camped at the Red Sea with the enemy behind and no way forward.
Stand Still and Let God Show Mercy
Les shows Israel was totally trapped, God told them to stand still because they could do nothing, and God's mercy opened the Red Sea — that is salvation.
Without Strength, Without Hope, Helpless
Les applies the Red Sea directly: before salvation we were without strength, without hope, and helpless; God opened the way through His grace, just as Christ died for the ungodly.
God's Power and Faith
Les says only God's supernatural power opened the Red Sea; likewise, when we believe the gospel, God gives us a new nature — salvation is by believing, not doing.
Dead in Sins, Saved by Grace Through Faith
Les walks through Ephesians 2:8-9: by grace through faith, not ourselves and not works; we are hopeless and helpless, we believe, and God does everything.
Salvation Is Totally God's Work
Les teaches that God must perform the miracle of salvation before any change in lifestyle; if we did something first, it would not be faith plus nothing.
Saul's Conversion as Pure Grace
Les uses the persecutor Saul to show salvation by grace: Saul did not deserve it, work for it, or do anything; he simply called out to God, believing the cross was enough.
Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Wage
Les explains Ephesians 2:8 again: saved by grace through faith, not of yourselves; it is a gift, and gifts are never worked for or merited.
Ephesians 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
States the starting point: before salvation we were spiritually dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Shows that God's mercy and love, not our efforts, make us alive with Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9: 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.
The central answer: salvation is a gift received through faith, not earned by works.
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.
Shows good works are the result of salvation, not the cause.
Romans 5:6: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Describes our hopeless condition and the timing of Christ's death for us.
Because Israel was completely trapped — enemy behind, sea in front, locked in on both sides. God told them to stand still to show there was nothing they could do. Les uses this as the picture of salvation: we are helpless, and God does the saving.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works. Les asks, do you work for a gift? Never. A gift cannot be earned or merited.
Yes. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. But those works come after salvation and are not the reason we are saved — salvation itself is faith plus nothing.
Faith is simply believing. Les says God does everything when we believe the gospel; we bring nothing but helpless trust in Christ's finished work.
Watch the Teaching: The 3 Requirements for Redemption: Person, Blood, and Power