September 24th - Reflection

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)

God is rich in mercy

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through 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 ages to come 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 the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Reflection
We all were dead. We all live in a world of sin. We all live sinful lives. We all began as children of wrath.  Thanks be to God, through Christ Jesus, we all have received the mercy of Christ. At great cost Jesus came to this world of sin in which we live. He lived and died and paid the price for our sin. Jesus has graciously given us salvation. Do you believe? Do you accept? Do you place your trust in this action of God?

It's not about our actions. It's about our relationship with God. If you truly believe in this gracious act of God, you will not be able to contain the joy you have. You will not be able to contain the love you have for God. If you believe and understand that you just came from death to life, changes will take place.

You will have a deep desire to follow Jesus. You will be passionate about your sin. You will be bold enough to face your sin and know that you have a Savior to turn to. He will help you deal with that sin. He will guide you through those dark days, teach you about your sin, change you and help you to grow to love him for dying for the very sin you committed.

You will be prepared for good works because of this grace given. Not because of what you did, but because of what God did through Jesus. God has a plan for your life. God has made you wonderfully and is about to prove why.

Hang on...by grace you have been saved - and raised up with him and seated  with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, lead my actions out of the grace of faith that I too, may be rich in kindness towards those you give to me this day. May they see and know the love of Jesus in and through my life. Guide me to those in need and turn my prayer of love for them and you into active love. --- Amen