[DouglasKC]

Ephesians 2:8b-9a, “and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Accessible to any properly instructed 7-year old (paraphrase of Martin Luther).

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Earlier in the same chapter:

Eph 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Note how "disobedience" is the opposite of Godly behavior. Responding to the spirit of God and obeying that spirit is not works and nothing to be ashamed of.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Why do you work so hard to accomplish that what was already done for you on the Cross?

attrib: Martin Luther

[redleghunter]

Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

These types of topic threads and discussions usually bank towards the accusation that whoever is not in a specific church must be doing these horrible sinful Lady Gaga orgie parties.

The Bible is clear. If we love Him we will obey Him. But that does not mean the Holy Spirit is coming and going every few days based on sins committed by a believer. Or do you think we sin no more after baptism and a man minister lays hands on us?

[Hoodat]

You left out verse 10.