GPS Guide – December 5, 2019
GIVER OF GIFTS
Thursday
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10
1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in 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. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV Ephesians 2:;1-10)
Study: Ephesians 2:8-10 is a very familiar passage for most Christians. It is a summary of the good news of Jesus Christ. In 2:1-3, Paul reminds us of what we used to be. In 2:4-7, he reminds us of what God has done for us. And he closes the section in 2:8-10 by summing it all up. It is a glorious reminder of some of the most essential, and thus important, parts of the Christian faith, because it is a simple, yet profound, meditation on the nature of salvation. Paul makes clear that salvation is a gift – it comes by the grace of God to those who have faith. God was not obligated to give us salvation. He did not have to rescue us. But He has chosen to do so. Salvation is entirely a free gift of God. Now, the question is; How will you respond?
Pray: Holy God, you have rescued me. Thank you. Because of your saving grace, I am forever grateful. Lead me in responding to this grace. Show me how to share this grace with the world. Amen.