By grace we are saved

This verse seems to cause confusion because of how it is worded. Too many people think “after all we can do” means that we put in “all we can do” first and then grace comes along to make up the difference. There are a couple of problems with this. First, the necessary grace has already been made available before any that we can do. Secondly, it can discourage people who feel that they have not done all they could thus leading to an unhealthy perfectionism—”I must do my perfect best or else I will not qualify for the grace I need”—which essentially turns the truth in it’s head.

The reality is that anyone doing their perfect best is still hopelessly under qualified to earn salvation. We do not “earn” salvation, it is a gift from our Father. On the other hand some people waste that gift by rejecting the premise whereby the gift is given and/or by sailing to prepare themselves to receive the gift from the Father. (“I have deposited your billion dollar endowment in the bank but if you won’t establish your identity with the bank you won’t have any way to cover your debts by making any claim upon that more than ample gift.”)

I think I have figured out a better way to work that verse: