Wow...what a great summary of God's love and grace for us!
1 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. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7
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. 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.
In particular, I am struck by how Paul reminds us of God's great gift of grace:
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] 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.
Also, I am reminded that it is by God's grace and faith alone, not by works, that we are saved. Yet even with such a gift we are called to ACT.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We were created by and for His will and for His purpose.
My Prayer: Lord, how awesome that You are so full of love and grace for me that You have taken all of my sins away and nailed them to the cross...so that I am not enslaved by the shame of sin and as I have read yesterday and today You have created me for Your great and perfect will for Your service AND You have given me the SAME power that raised You from the dead! How incredible is all of this! Yet Lord, I don't often enough appreciate this so PLEASE once more forgive me for my neglect, dumb-headedness and sin. Please refine me, purify me Lord, and transform both my heart and my life to be more like You. Lord, also help me exercise the great power You have given me through Your Spirit and MOVE me to do the good works which You command me to do.
