| His Great LovePosted Jul-03-07 07:35:38 PDT But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in transgressions . . . For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - in this not from yourselves, is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:4,8-10
The apostle Paul emphasizes that we do not need to live any longer under sin's power. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ, we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots - we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to a sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ. When someone gives you a gift, do you say, "That's very nice - now how much do I owe you?" No, the appropriate response to a gift is. "Thank you." Yet how often Christians, even after they have been given the gift of salvation, feel obligated to try to work their way to God? Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise, and joy. We become Christians through God's unmerited grace, not as a result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or active service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit, but to serve Christ and build up the church and to help one another. Indeed, we are all God's workmanship. Our salvation is something only God can do. It is his powerful, creative work in us. If God considers us his work of art, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect.
God Bless you,
J.H.
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