(Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT) God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Have you ever seen a child that boasts to others the amount or types of toys he has? The ideal that “my dad is better than your dad” is for some reason a common boast among children. Did you ever have someone say that to you? Do you remember how it made you feel? If you are honest with yourself it immediately put you on the defensive regardless of who had the better gifts. When we boast of our gift of salvation what do you think that breeds in the heart of others? Have you made friends or enemies? Have you turned their heart towards or away from God?
(Ephesians 2:2 NLT) You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Remember from where you came and the hollow desperation inside that called out for help, now remember was there someone there leading you to God or pushing you towards the ledge? Salvation is not given so we can play games or form cliques or to wrap ourselves in exclusivity, how short-sighted is that! If this is what we are about then one day we will awake to find we are the ones standing outside in the cold and we will hear God say, “Depart from me for I never knew you” (Mat. 7:23). But God’s mercy is great and while it is still day we can return to the calling that has been placed on us to love others, including those who have never known God’s love and those who have just alike.
(Psalms 23:1-6 MKJV) A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever.
