August 22, 2021
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4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— - Ephesians 2:4-5
The apostle, Paul is writing to the Ephesian church reminding them, that without Christ, without their faith in the resurrection of Jesus they were dead through the trespasses and sins in which they once lived. In this section of Paul’s letter we hear about how it is that any of us can receive salvation, and is said multiple times that it is only through the grace of God and through faith.
To put is plainly, there is nothing we can do to earn God’s salvation. There is nothing we can do to assure that we have made the right decisions in every interaction in our life to show love. there is no way that we can save ourselves. It is only by God’s gift of grace. Sometimes, we need to back up, take a deep breath and become re-aware of this great truth – we are saved by grace through faith.
This is not just the truth for ourselves, but the truth for each and every person who chooses to rely on the love of God. None of us truly know the heart of another person. None of us can say with certainty that God cannot or does not forgive someone. If we believe in the grace of God for our salvation, then it should be how we choose to treat others in this life. It’s been said many times, that there is not one face we see, which isn’t loved by God. Every person we encounter is loved by God. Some may not know it yet, some may have not come to understand that love yet, but God’s love is still upon that person. It might even be our job to share it with them. After all, Paul reminds us that we were “made alive together with Christ.” I like to think this “together” is not just me with Christ, but all of the faithful, in community, enjoying knowing the presence of God because of this great gift of grace we have received through faith.
Grace & Peace,
Sam