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By grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:1-10)

  • 29-02-2016 8:44am
    #1
    solodeogloria
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,739 ✭✭✭


    Good morning all!

    This passage is quite close to my heart. It is related in a way to yesterday's passage. It is the mechanics of how we can be saved despite our sin. It's so good to be able to marvel at Jesus and see why we love Him.
    Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV wrote:
    And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

    This passage tells us a lot. The first thing it tells us is hard to stomach. Paul tells us that we have a problem. We are dead because of our sins. Our rebellion against God means that He wasn't at work in us. We were spiritually dead. Living for our own selfish gratification. I know that is true of me. By turning our backs on God we are children of wrath. Meaning rightfully deserving of God's wrath for our sin.

    The next two words are marvellous. "But God". Thank God. We aren't left that way. God loves us and makes us alive in Christ. We are reconciled. The relationship we were meant to have with Him from the beginning is marvellously available. Even when we were dead we were made alive. Jesus brings about a spiritual resurrection in every believer. How does this happen? "By grace". There's nothing inherently great about us morally. In fact much is wretched. But grace isn't dependent on what we can do but what Jesus has done. Praise God. He rescues.

    Works based religion doesn't rescue. Paul underlines it. This salvation is not of our own doing, not of our works. We can't boast as a result. God doesn't just rescue the sinful person but He also sees us as His workmanship. He helps us to live a godly life. The good works we do by His grace are just that His works in us. We can't boast.

    How wonderful! I'm thankful for the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! How kind and how merciful He is to us daily.

    What do you think? How does this passage help us to give thanks? How does it stop us from the horrible trap of works based religion rather than grace given righteousness in Christ?

    Have a great day!

    Much thanks in Christ Jesus,
    solodeogloria
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