Identity — By Grace Through Faith - Tuesday
TODAY’S VERSE
Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. (ESV)
Have you ever been in a season that felt hopeless? A season that didn’t make sense, and you couldn’t see a way out? This isn’t unfamiliar territory in the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament — Joseph, Moses, Hannah, Job, Jeremiah, Jonah, the disciples after Jesus’ death, and the apostle Paul. That’s why Paul was more than qualified to pen this letter to the church of Ephesus. The Ephesians found themselves in a hopeless spot because they were trying to justify and redeem their sins. This passage is a revelation for the Ephesians because it refutes their ways and shows them the true hope: God and His great love for them.
On Sunday, Scott told us the words “But God” describe the power of the Gospel. He also mentioned the gospel could be explained in two words: rescue mission. Because God is rich in mercy, great in grace, and lavishes His love, we are no longer hopeless. We cannot have hope unless God sent His Son to pay the price for our sins — AND HE DID! While we were trying to be our own savior, Christ died to be our Savior.
This is the hope that Paul shares with the Ephesians: The Gospel is the rescue of God’s children, and that includes you and me. Jesus has rescued us from death and made us alive with Him for eternity. But we weren’t just rescued from something; we were rescued for others. The rescued become part of the rescue party.
Don’t miss this: We’ve been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. And because God lavished His love on us, we have an opportunity to be an extension of His love to others. Our God is still in the business of rescuing His children today, and He wants us to partner with Him in this mission. No one is too far gone for God to reach because there’s more mercy in Him than sin in us.
APPLICATION
Who is close to you but far from God? Our Care Team would love to talk to them about surrendering their life to Jesus and being baptized. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open a door for a conversation with them this week.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being the answer to my hopelessness. Thank You for saving me without needing me to earn Your love or my salvation. Give me courage to share the message of Your Gospel with the people around me.