But God
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10 – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We all were dead in trespasses and sins -- separated from God and spiritually dead; but God who is rich in mercy and who has a great love for us came to our rescue to deliver us from the power of sin, through the resurrection power of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
The power of the Holy Spirit has quickened us and made us alive to a new resurrection life in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 2:10) We all once walked according to the course of this world. This refers to the world order, the prince of the power of the air – Satan and evil spiritual forces and demons and those who are against God and Christ and us as believers. All of the evil we see around us -- the killing, drugs, lust of the eyes, flesh, and pride of life, is not of God but of the world (I John 2:15-16). We have been warned by God not to love the things of the world. The word says if anyone loves the world and the things in the world that the love of Father is not in him/her. God has saved our lives by transforming us to be like Jesus. He has raised us up together and made us alive together with Christ. We are seated in heavenly places in Christ, and through His resurrection power we can walk in victory over sin, the devil, death, and the world system because of God’s grace, mercy, and love that is in Jesus Christ. Because of our faith in Christ Jesus, we have received the free gift of salvation – not by our good works. Out of a grateful heart of appreciation for the gift of salvation, our response to God’s purpose for our new life is in verse 10 which God has prepared beforehand (Romans 8:28-30). Our acts of service are not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of serving Christ Jesus -- sanctified, consecrated to the work of Christ. Secondly, we are to serve others in the body of Christ using our spiritual gifts to bless others. Thirdly, we are God’s workmanship (work of His masterpiece), and our salvation is something only God can do. It is His powerful, creative work in us, and through us. God deserves all honor, praise and glory!
Are you serving Him or are you sitting down on Him?
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for my salvation – the gift of eternal life, a gift I could not earn or work for but a free gift I can proclaim to others -- how You died on the cross for my sin and arose the third day according to the scripture. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Robert Williams
We all were dead in trespasses and sins -- separated from God and spiritually dead; but God who is rich in mercy and who has a great love for us came to our rescue to deliver us from the power of sin, through the resurrection power of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
The power of the Holy Spirit has quickened us and made us alive to a new resurrection life in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 2:10) We all once walked according to the course of this world. This refers to the world order, the prince of the power of the air – Satan and evil spiritual forces and demons and those who are against God and Christ and us as believers. All of the evil we see around us -- the killing, drugs, lust of the eyes, flesh, and pride of life, is not of God but of the world (I John 2:15-16). We have been warned by God not to love the things of the world. The word says if anyone loves the world and the things in the world that the love of Father is not in him/her. God has saved our lives by transforming us to be like Jesus. He has raised us up together and made us alive together with Christ. We are seated in heavenly places in Christ, and through His resurrection power we can walk in victory over sin, the devil, death, and the world system because of God’s grace, mercy, and love that is in Jesus Christ. Because of our faith in Christ Jesus, we have received the free gift of salvation – not by our good works. Out of a grateful heart of appreciation for the gift of salvation, our response to God’s purpose for our new life is in verse 10 which God has prepared beforehand (Romans 8:28-30). Our acts of service are not just for our own benefit but for the benefit of serving Christ Jesus -- sanctified, consecrated to the work of Christ. Secondly, we are to serve others in the body of Christ using our spiritual gifts to bless others. Thirdly, we are God’s workmanship (work of His masterpiece), and our salvation is something only God can do. It is His powerful, creative work in us, and through us. God deserves all honor, praise and glory!
Are you serving Him or are you sitting down on Him?
Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for my salvation – the gift of eternal life, a gift I could not earn or work for but a free gift I can proclaim to others -- how You died on the cross for my sin and arose the third day according to the scripture. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Robert Williams
3 Comments
Thank you for this devotional!! But God!!
But God...the word but can turn the corner in a sentence. I'm so thankful and grateful for the "but God" in Scriptures. God loves us so much that He turned us around from destruction. Now, saints are capable to love Him back! What a turn-around!
Amen