Ephesians 2:8-10 Phillips But even though we were dead in our sins God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, gave us life together with Christ—it is, remember, by grace and not by achievement that you are saved—and has lifted us right out of the old life to take our place with him in Christ in the Heavens. Thus he shows for all time the tremendous generosity of the grace and kindness he has expressed towards us in Christ Jesus. It was nothing you could or did achieve—it was God’s gift to you. No one can pride himself upon earning the love of God. The fact is that what we are we owe to the hand of God upon us. We are born afresh in Christ, and born to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do.
Observation
“It is by grace and not by achievement that you are saved… It was nothing you could or did achieve—it was God’s gift to you.” This is a difficult concept for those of us raised in a culture that so highly values – even worships – achievement. Worldly fame brings power and influence that are not rooted in the character and wisdom to unselfishly wield them. How else can we explain the adoring fans of singers or sports figures who accept whatever might be said or done by these icons as guidance for living life? This letter of Paul is written to Ephesian Christians who are struggling with what they are being taught as good and normal by their achievement-based culture and religion. Paul is saying to them, “Why would you go back again to the dead “wisdom” of the world when you have access to the living wisdom of our God?”
When I was a child, would I hand a gift back to my parent and say, “I am not worthy to receive this. I can’t believe I have the privilege of receiving this gift. I have not worked to earn it.”? Of course not! Refusing a gift would be doubting my parents’ love and ability to care for me. As children, we are dependent upon our parents for everything. This is like the covenant of old where a stronger person makes a promise to adopt, protect and provide for the weaker as his own family. This relationship, this adoption into God’s family, is what Jesus offers to us through the Cross – a covenant relationship where we can be safe and secure, cared for and loved, not because we are worthy but because He is. Ephesians is full of who we are and what is promised when we are “in Christ” – something so priceless that it must be given free for us ever to receive it. To refuse the free nature of the gift devalues the Giver’s love and purpose in the giving.
Impact on Me
This free gift of grace – unearned and priceless – seems too good to be true. The nature of it truly goes against the natural order of things. So much of the time, worldly gifts come with an expectation of return in kind, tit for tat. How can such an incomparable gift, such a windfall of grace and mercy, truly be mine without working for it, earning it or providing pay back? How can I accept that God’s love for me is that deep, wide and full, that unconditional, that enduring? This is the covenant, the promise, of provision, protection and relationship we are provided by being in Christ. How grateful am I? Can I rest and trust in a relationship where I get all the benefit and, out of gratitude and love, my return gift is my life? Can I truly submit to Him and, regardless of the cost, commit to fulfill His will and purpose in my life? Only with the strength, courage and commitment provided by God in all His persons can I hope to do so.
Devotion
Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, how wondrous is Your love for us. In Christ, we are adopted by You as children, family, blood relatives, through grace and grace alone. May I never reduce the value of the gift by trying to earn Your favor. How can I truly show my gratitude except by living and being in the gift because of the faithfulness and love of the Giver? Teach me to surrender to You in all things so I may be an instrument in Your hand to offer the same gift of salvation to those who do not yet know You. Remind me to depend fully on You to lead and guide me in what I say and do so that I always bring mercy, grace, healing and deliverance into every place I am. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 