Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— English Standard Version (ESV)
If you've ever heard Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey on the radio, you've probably heard a caller ask him "how are you doing", I always enjoy hearing Dave's response to that simple familiar question. If you listen to him you already know the response "better than I deserve". In this day and age people feel that they deserve or that they are owed a lot; from others, the government and from God. Dave Ramsey has the right perspective.
Today's verse starts with that little word "but" that, in this case, tells us that we are getting better than we deserve. We are the benefactors of God's great, rich mercy. Instead of punishment for sin we receive grace. The path of the sinner, that includes you and I, leads to destruction. Thankfully, there is this but, this about face, there is hope for a better way. J. C. Ryle writes "Reader, I say again, while there is life, there is hope. The oldest, the vilest, the worst of sinners may be saved. Only let him come to Christ, confess his sin, and cry to Him for pardon - only let him cast his soul on Christ, and he'll be cured. The Holy Spirit shall be sent down on his heart, according to Christ's promise, and he shall be changed by His Almighty power, into a new creature."
Reading of the "vilest" of sinners reminded me of the old hymn, "To God Be the Glory". May it be our song of praise today.
To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Ephesians 2:4-10
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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