Ephesians 2 - 11.29.24

Scripture:  Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“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. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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:

We were dead in sin but God’s love, grace, and mercy bring us to life in Christ. God’s gift saves us by grace through faith. Our works are not what saves us. God created each of us unique and has an assignment prepared for us.  Verse 6 stands out, it says we will be seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms. 

Application:

I love how verse 10 says we are God’s handiwork and that God prepared good works for us to do in advance. 

‭‭Nothing happens by chance. I need to let God continue to create me to be more like Him and guide me into what He has prepared.  I want to seek His plan, take risks, and use my gifts to glorify Him.  Then, I will be prepared for the ultimate job, being seated with Him and experiencing the “incomparable roaches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer:

Lord, nothing compares to your love, grace and mercy.  Please help me to be an example of this to others. Increase my faith as I live by the truth that you have good works prepared for me. Help me not to be timid or hesitate. May I trust you wholeheartedly.  Amen

- Cindy Howard