Memory verses for this week – Ephesians 2: 8 & 9
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We know that Paul was the man that wrote the letter to the Ephesian believers. But we also know the words in the Bible are conveyed to our heart by the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit living in us reveals God to every believer. The Spirit connects us to the Father through Jesus.
Our relationship with God is real. We should never diminish our communion with Him to be simply an elusive emotional response.
So even though there is nothing wrong with having an emotional reaction, we must not let our emotions distort the reality of what we are taking in.
After all, the love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus should impact our lives intently, causing us to respond not only with emotion, but with gratitude that drives us to glorify Him.
One way that believers demonstrate grateful hearts is by using our spiritual gifts to reach lost people and to encourage other believers.
Our works should never be considered a means to salvation. Our works are evidence of having been born-again, but they will never secure our redemption. Christ’s sacrifice alone is what redeems anyone.
Many hopelessly place their faith in their good works to give them eternal life. But Jesus said that He is the only way to find real and lasting peace for eternal life. (John 14:6)
The passage below can help us understand this vital truth.
Mercy and Love
Why did God allow us to turn from our old lives and towards Him? Because God is rich in mercy and has great love for us.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
From Separation to Life
Sin separates us from God. Sin leads to eternal death. We can’t help ourselves by our own effort. God makes us fully alive for eternity when we accept His grace.
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Heavenly Places
The next verse sounds like we have already been seated with Christ, instead of having to wait for His return. While that isn’t a fact yet, Paul was simply telling us to have full confidence in the promise that we will be with Jesus when we die.
and He raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Looking Forward
Then Paul speaks to us about the future.
so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
The Free Gift of God
No one would ever choose to even look for faith first. All of our good works are futile, without Christ. “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Evidence
Do you love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul? Do you love your neighbor as you love yourself? (Mark 12:30-31)
The evidence of a redeemed life is proven by our walk with God. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Do others see the evidence of Christ alive in you? If you are a believer who has stepped away, why not turn around?
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:4-10
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Statement of Faith
