Ephesians 1:7-10
In him, we also have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in keeping with the riches of his grace, which He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. He made known to us the mystery of his will in keeping with his good purpose, which he planned in Christ. This was to be carried out when the time had fully come, in order to bring all things together in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.
Dear Lord Jesus,
It is only through you that we have received the forgiveness of sins we so desperately need. Our iniquities have separated us from the Father and you because we have not lived according to the perfection you demanded. While we are great at loving ourselves, we are horrible at loving you or others the way we should. Lord, for your own sake, you did not have to come to this earth, but you did. You did not have to die on the cross for us, but you did, and you did not have to redeem us, but you did. You could have started over with a new creation that loved you in return, but that you didn’t do. You chose to love us by coming here and dying in our place. Thank you for loving us though we actually are undeserving of any love you show to us.
The remarkable thing is you had this planned from before creation. This was your will for us, and when everything was just right, you came here to pay the punishment of our sins. It brings order into the chaos of corruption that was around us and in us. For those who have faith and believe in you, we no longer are in turmoil but peace, knowing you have died for the sins of all the world. Through you, we have the promise of salvation and everlasting life. I pray you would grant me the opportunity to share this peace, hope, joy, and redemption with someone new today. Amen.
Roger Emmons
Pastor
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
What an amazing love that was shown to us! When we were unlovable, God demonstrated an overwhelming amount of love; we were redeemed—bought back—from the depths of hell itself.