As you read this passage, don’t skim through it quickly, but spend time meditating on each verse.

Eph. 2:1-10 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Imagine you’ve committed a heinous crime and you’ve been caught, and you are standing before the judge. He has given you a death penalty. Put yourself in that situation and think about what the implications would be for you and your family. Now imagine someone walked up to the judge and said that they would take that punishment on your behalf and the judge let you walk away free and with a clean slate.

The scene you imagined might seem farfetched and very unrealistic. The reality is the truth for us is even worse than that. To really understand God’s amazing grace, I have to understand how sinful I am. What I deserve is worse than a death penalty. What I deserve is God’s eternal holy wrath and condemnation because of my evil, corrupt nature. Not only was I already dead in my transgressions, but I would be eternally dead and separated from God’s love.

But the beautiful, powerful gospel is that he has made a way. He has paid the debt. He has set me free and given me a clean slate. Not because of anything I have done or because God needs a relationship with me but because he wants a relationship with me; because of his great love for me.

Read the passage again prayerfully and thank God for his goodness and grace.

A song to listen to: What Love My God

Michelle & Petrina Rangiawha Living Church – Creek Road