Grace

Ephesians 2: 1-10
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

This passage always reminds me of the song Amazing Grace. It is by the grace of God we were saved. God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with him. If you will let those words sink in, you will realize just how powerful that statement is! We were dead in our transgressions, we live in a world surrounded by people still dead in their transgressions, and sin. We must remember that we are God’s workmanship, he has our path planned for us, if we will just choose to follow it. I understand, better than some, just how hard it is to stay on that path sometimes. In the world we live in today it is very easy to be an object of wrath. In some cases today, it is not only acceptable, it is expected! These are the times that we must remember the two most important laws, Love your God with all your hear, all your might, all of your soul, then turn and love your neighbor as you love yourself. The first part is a little easier, the second part is a challenge. I believe that for us to do the good works that the Lord has planned, we must first follow those two laws. For us to save our brothers, we must first forgive them their transgressions, as Christ forgave and continues to forgive ours.

Peace
Rev. T.