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,
This passage runs contrary to the world’s logic that states, people are, in essence, good. We know evil because of our sinful nature and want to do the opposite of what you tell us. You say something is wrong, and the world says it is correct; you call something good, and they call it bad. The passions of our sinful flesh want to push us away from you, and before we had faith, that was our starting point. Because of our sinful natures, we were the subject of your wrath as well. This seems like there should be no hope for us, but you are also a merciful God demonstrating your love for us so that through Jesus, you brought about our salvation. In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote, “even when we were dead in our trespasses,” you made us alive. Your mercy is more significant than our sin, and we cannot out-sin your love, but we can reject it. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of faith, which comes to us through your word and sacrament. By faith, we receive the forgiveness Jesus has won for us. It is all by your grace we have been saved; not one part of our redemption is on us, and for that, I am thankful because, in my sinful nature, I would have corrupted it. Thank you for loving us. Please give us opportunities to share this good news with others. Amen
Roger Emmons
Pastor
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Since Christ took all the lashings, the mockery, the thorns, the nails, and he died, therefore, we cannot take any credit for our salvation. It was entirely on him, but his love is totally on us.