Ephesians 2:3-5
Formerly, we all lived among them in the passions of our sinful flesh, as we carried out the desires of the sinful flesh and its thoughts. Like all the others, we were by nature objects of God’s wrath. But God, because he is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me when I still am carried along by sinful desires of my thoughts, words, and actions. Before I was called to be your child, I was no different than the rest of the unbelieving world, dead in my sins. We all were born sinful and the subject of your wrath and anger. Because of your Son, he came to this earth to become our brother, took on flesh, then died in our place, taking the punishment of the entire world, including my sins. Still, we have been restored to your love and mercy because of Jesus’ life and death. While you were angry with us because of our sins, you still loved us and sent your Son; it was the only way you could save us. When we were dead in our sins, you made us alive through Christ. However, we are repeatedly tempted to turn toward sin, even though you have restored us as your saints. Therefore, we continually need to return to you and be reminded of how Jesus died for all our sins. It is indeed by your grace that we have been saved and nothing else. How easy would it have been to wipe us out because of our misdeeds? But you took the more challenging path sending your Son to defeat death. Lord, thank you for loving us so much that, in your grace, you did not give up on us, instead gave us life. Amen.
Pastor Roger Emmons
God gives us grace upon grace that covers all our sins. You are made alive through Christ. What relief we have through Jesus, being redeemed from every sin.