But God Loved Us

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is fromm Ephesians 2:1-10. Paul starts this chapter by reminding the Ephesians that they were once dead in their sins, but God has made them alive through Christ. What does Paul mean when he says they were dead in their sins? Have you been made alive through Christ?

We all started off in the ways of the world, trying to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, paying more attention to our wants and desires for possessions or experiences that are not necessarily pleasing to God. By nature we are sinful people, because we are born of a sinful nature.

Paul speaks of Satan being the prince and power of the air. This shows his authority even though he is not the ultimate authority. The power of the air speaks of the spiritual realm where both good and evil forces abide. However, we know that the Holy Spirit reigns supreme.

Ephesians 2:4-7 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Paul starts verse four saying “but GOD.” If it wasn’t for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the love, grace and mercy He gave us, we would all be on our way to hell today. Thank You, Lord!

The next two verses are some of my favorite: Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works so we have no reason to boast in ourselves, but only in the grace and mercy of God, and the precious gift of His Son, Jesus, who died on the cross to save us from our sins.

Don’t get confused by Ephesians 2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. We are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ to do good works, not in order to get saved, but because we are saved.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Our old sinful nature is changed into a new spiritual nature that desires to do good, which is God’s will for our life.

 

Daily Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:1-10

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved);

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

Things to think about:

• Why did God make a way for us?

• How are we saved?

• What are some ways you can show that you are thankful for God’s love, mercy, and grace?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the love, mercy, and grace that You gave us through the precious gift of salvation by Your Son, Jesus Christ. We know we were all sinners by nature and without the gift of salvation we would all be on our way to hell. Help us to do the good works You have for us to do. Lord, I pray for those who don’t yet know Your grace, mercy, and love. Speak to their hearts and call them to life through Your Son, Jesus.  We love you, LORD.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

– Ephesians 2:8-9

 

-This is an excerpt from The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus by Deborah H. Bateman

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Featured Book:

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.

In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.

The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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