Daily Devotions – Saved by Grace

Daily Devotions – Saved by Grace

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

 

Personally, I’m a little type-A… I take pride in the things I can do and I work hard to get things done.  As a result, personally, I have a hard time with the way God has chosen to save us.  I would rather have to work for it.  It would make more sense if there was some type of point system, or a set of rules to keep or tasks to accomplish.  Yet, in God’s perfect wisdom, he chose to save us based on his perfect merit, not on our accomplishments.  We are chosen and forgiven 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”. (Eph. 2.4b-5) Today, I invite you to consider this grace; this free gift that gives us new life.  What does today mean in light of the fact that you are chosen by grace?  …that you are loved enough to be saved?