Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 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. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Good job reading! Good stuff huh? Anyway, here are 3 points based on the above scripture that you need to keep in mind today and everyday.
1. Apart from God and His gift of grace in allowing His Son Jesus Christ to pay our sin penalty (which is death) you and I have no hope. None, no, nada! Very sad, but...
2. BUT GOD! And it's a BIG "BUT" (see verse 4). But, because God loves YOU and I so much, He, in spite of the fact that He knew we deserved death because of our sin, in spite of the fact that He knew we would continue to sin, in spite of the fact that we deserve absolutely none of His grace or love, He (GOD) poured out His love and grace on us anyway because HE LOVES US THAT MUCH!! He just does! And the scripture tells us that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Nothing you did, can ever do, nothing from your past, nothing that the devil wants to make you believe is unforgiveable, no nothing is beyond His love for us!! It's an incredible, incomprehensible love!
3. God's grace is what saves us and there is nothing we can do about it. In other words, we are saved by what He did for us and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. All we have to do is accept His sacrifice on our behalf in faith. His grace covers our sins, our failures, our mess ups, our screw ups each and every day. And no matter how much we mess up His love and grace never changes. He is always consistent, always forgiving, always offering a fresh start.
So what's the bottom line? Quit living in defeat and live in God's love and grace. Live forgiven. Live like you believe He offers new mercies every day, and never ever let Satan convince you that you've done too much, so much, to somehow have fallen out of His grace and love for you. It simply can't be done because we didn't earn it (grace). It is a free gift and it is there waiting for you and I to live in it like we believe it each and every day. So live in His grace, take comfort in His love. He's already paid the price so you and I can live each day in victory no matter what comes out way.
God's not dead and neither are you if you are in Christ! Live like it!
PCW
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