Some of my favorite verses are found in today’s reading. You may know that I grew up in the Lutheran tradition, and verse 8 is a key, crucial verse for us. It is by grace that we are saved, not by the good things we have done. I used to teach songs to our children’s ministry kids that emphasized this truth. It is by grace, grace, grace, we have been saved, saved, saved, not of ourselves. It is a gift from God. The best gift of all.
What’s really cool is that God loves us in our mess. We can be going through some really rough stuff and God still loves us. He knows we aren’t strong enough to stop sinning on our own. We are flawed. We are human. Yet he loves us, and his mercy endures forever. When Paul speaks to the Ephesians of being “dead in the trespasses and sins” he is very much talking to us as well. Paul said we are made alive together with Christ. God never meant for us to be alone, struggling, feeling like we were suffocating in this cruel world.
God’s grace is that which saves us. We have been saved by grace through faith. It is truly a gift from God because nothing we can do will earn or change it. Grace is a hard thing to wrap our heads around. Our salvation depends on it. Because there is nothing we can do to earn it, nobody is in a position to boast or brag about it. God is so wise because he knows humans like to brag and be successful. Having a place in heaven is a gift, not something we work toward.
So how do you respond to that gift? With gratitude. It’s easy for us to often feel like we are not worthy. When that kind of self-doubt creeps in, it’s important to remember that we are God’s masterpiece, he made us. God doesn’t make junk. As a response to this gift, we should be eager to serve, eager to give back, eager to do good works. It’s the order of things here that we should focus on.
We don’t do good things to get God’s attention. We do good things because God pays attention to us. We want to please him for his grace and mercy. We want to be the best that we can be. We want to serve others and walk in God’s ways because of what he has done for us, not because we are seeking his approval.
God knows our hearts. There is no hiding from God. That truth alone will scare some people, those who are paranoid and not building a relationship with the creator. For those of us who yearn to be closer to our heavenly father, knowing he is watching and providing gives us peace. Perfect peace.
Have you accepted Jesus’ life-saving grace? How are you responding with your life?
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et’s pray. Heavenly Father, I give you all my honor and praise as I reflect on your grace and mercy. I feel so insignificant in this big and crazy world. Yet, you love me. May my life be honoring to you in all I say and do. Help me to know how best to serve you. Use my words and my actions to make you real to someone today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
