"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Faith receives "the gift of God." We cannot earn nor do we deserve God's salvation in Christ. It's by grace through faith. That means it's "not of yourselves." God saves you by grace, and it's through faith in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Faith receives the Lord Jesus Christ. That faith is one of the three abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). The Holy Spirit enables you to come to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit, who inspired the Holy Scripture, uses the word of God to bring the gift of faith to you (Romans 10:17).
Faith receives the gospel of Jesus our Lord. He died for our sins. He is risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believers confess, Jesus is Lord. And no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance of the gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Faith receives Christ to the praise of God's glory (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). To God alone be the glory! There is no room for us to receive glory, when it's all of God's grace. It is not our work for God, but God's gracious work for us in Christ, to the praise of His glory (Philippians 1:6; 2:13).
