Ephesians 2 - 7.2.25
Scripture:
Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Observation
Faith versus works – in multiple places in the New Testament, Paul and others remind us that there is nothing we did and nothing we could possibly do to earn God’s love and forgiveness. It is so hard for us to understand, because that’s not the way we think. We understand that actions have consequences, and hard work brings rewards. We often think we deserve things – both good and bad. When we succeed, it is so easy to credit our “righteousness” or hard work.
Application
I don’t know how long it will take me to truly understand and internalize God’s love for me and the concept that He loves me no matter what. But today I realized two things:
1. Until we truly understand and acknowledge that we were lost and dead in our sin, we will not be able to properly honor Him for what He has done for us.
2. And if we truly believe in His saving grace, it should change us and it should be evident in our lives. And when we feel like we’re failing, the answer should be to draw closer to Him, soaking in His presence, not doing more trying to earn his love and forgiveness.
“Only faith, not works, can bring us acceptance with God. But good works are the vital consequence and evidence of life with God (Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14; James 2:14–26). God chose us to make us holy sons and daughters (1:4, 5), and He has now fashioned us to be new bearers of His image (4:24), designed for the kind of life that conforms to God’s character.” ESV Reformation Study Bible
Prayer
Thank you for your patience with me – that you continue to work on my heart and reveal yourself to me even when I am so slow to learn the lessons. Thank you for your unfailing love and forgiveness. Thank you that you have prepared me, through your presence living in me, to share your love with others. Thank you for your grace. Continue to change me daily.
- Debbie Dunn
