# 14. 2018 Dev. Eph.2:4,5. The Gift of Life! Read verses 1-10. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ephesians 1:4,5 “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.
The back story on “God’s Grace” as Paul describes is that it was not always understood in the past and often is not understood today. In this passage I do not see the qualifying factors laid down by some churches and some Christians. Some Christians may not fellowship with other Christians because of a certain kind of theology or baptism. They certainly may not share in communion or pray together. Many disqualify gays and lesbians and those who are overwhelmed with what is considered as major sins. In our work in overseas missions this issue is exported, as example, converts with a Reformed or Presbyterian persuasion simply are considered as non Christian by certain denominational missionaries and their national churches and are fair game as people to convert.
The underlying issue is as old as Christianity itself. The rich young man asked: what must I do to achieve eternal life? Jesus gave him the answer: Love God, love you your neighbor and deny yourself. This was before Jesus’ mission was understood and before His death and resurrection ushered in the the new covenant. Did this rich man follow Jesus’ advice? We really do not know but it appears he did not. This question continues for many today, not only do people want to contribute to their own salvation, it is humanistic to do so and is the basis for all other religions.
Real Christians understand what Paul is teaching the Ephesians and what he is teaching us. What must we do to be saved? Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing, even faith is a gift! If you think you contribute to your own salvation, or your practice contributes, or your theology contributes, then the question becomes, according to Paul, are you saved?
Paul tells us we were dead, unable to do one thing but by God’s love Jesus makes us alive by grace: “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As Jesus said: because we are saved we have the ability to love God, love our neighbor, deny ourselves and we do good works out of thankfulness to God. Amen!
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved
Heavenhigh 