Read Ephesians 2:1-10

This is another one of those passages in the Bible that are so profound, yet so simple, it could be easily overlooked. It is difficult as a teacher to know whether I should try to elaborate and teach a lesson, or just put the period at the end of the sentence and call it quits. Truthfully, if you read this passage a few times with the intention of getting to know God better, you absolutely could accomplish that. He will speak straight to your heart. So, before moving on to read today’s devotion, read the passage one more time:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Here in Ephesians we see the salvation message spoken plainly. The entirety of the gospel message is summed up in verses 4-10. God so rich in mercy, because he loved us has now made us alive with Christ Jesus. His desire according to our need for salvation is that He could show us the EXCEEDING riches of His grace IN KINDNESS TOWARD US (it is the goodness of God that leads to change). Paul goes on to say that it is by this exceedingly abundant grace that we are saved, not because of anything we can do in our own power – it is a free gift! We don’t receive gifts because we did anything special to get them. If a gift comes with strings attached, it is not a gift. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking we did something to earn grace and salvation because we live in a world where we have forgotten the true essence of a gift. In our conditional mindset we can think we have to do something to earn a gift. We might even focus our own gift-giving to those we deem worthy to receive something from us, and in turn withhold from those who God would like to bless through us. That’s not God’s way – He gives generously and freely and then tells us to do the same (Matthew 10:8). His desire isn’t that we parade around boasting in our own abilities so we can earn gifts and favor. Afterall, He is the one who created the good works for us to walk in.

God’s grace is the declaration to humanity – “I Like You!” He doesn’t just lavish grace because of His love. God genuinely sees us and He likes us. He likes what He created, He said, “It is good!” That means something.

Stop for a few seconds right now. Do you think God likes you? Don’t just answer with the logical answer of “Yes”, think about it. Do you really think God likes you? If you struggle understanding the yes, why might it be a struggle – what’s holding you back?

Personal Reflection Moment

To understand the abundant results of God’s grace we have to first understand that it is only because God loved us enough to give up His own son as a sacrifice so that we could walk in all that goodness. That sacrifice was needed, and it fully abolished the rules we so desperately want to cling to in order to PROVE we deserve the gift!! The only reason you need to prove anything is because you don’t fully accept that Jesus already proved it for you! The perfect, unmerited favor, the gift of grace. You only need to have the faith to receive it. Even faith as tiny as a mustard seed. He’ll meet you where you are.

Today, grab that gift out of the hands of your Heavenly Father! With the faith of a child anticipating all the wishes and desires of her heart. It’s yours for the taking if you just believe it! This is a gift that keeps on giving for all eternity.

Keep BRAVING GRACE as we unpack all He has in store for us in the chapters ahead!

To study on Your Own:

• Continue Reading and Studying Ephesians 2
• Focus on the words Faith and Mercy this week. Find the definition and write each of them in your journal or notebook.
• Memorize Ephesians 2:4-5
• Share your thoughts below about something that God spoke to you while you’ve been studying Ephesians.
• If you don’t have a good study Bible or study supplies hop on over to our Bible Study Supplies page and see what we suggest; links are available for your convenience.