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,
Thank you for the forgiveness you have granted us through your Son. In your word, you remind us that no one is good and that man’s thoughts are always evil. Forgive us when we fail to see where we come from, that the passions of our sinful flesh carried us along, and we were, like all others, objects of your wrath. Lord, only through faith in Jesus have we been saved from your anger. It is by your undeserved love for us that we have been redeemed. Paul points out that we were dead in our trespasses. So what can something dead do to restore itself? Nothing! Something needed to act upon it, something needed to act upon us, and that was Jesus. Your mercy is not giving us what our sins have earned but now blessing us with the eternal life we do not deserve. We thank you for restoring us to you by the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross when he died for all our sins. For those who still do not know you have sent your Son to save them, we pray for opportunities to share the good news of your love and mercy with them. So that the Holy Spirit can create faith in them through your word, and they, too, will have eternal life and salvation. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Only in realizing who you are do you understand what you need, which is a Savior. Jesus has died and rose again for your sins; by faith in him, you have eternal life.