Hidden Treasure: Saved According to His Own Purpose & Grace

2Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,


God didn't save us according to our own works.  We can not earn merit with God by doing good works or participating in religious rituals and ceremonies.  He saved us according to his own purpose and grace.

God does not save us in response to what we have done or will do. He saves us according to His own purpose and grace which He set in motion before time began.