Ephesians 2:1-10
Saved by God's Grace
1 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, 5made 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.
St. Paul tells us about Grace in his letter to the Ephesians...Here is what he says about God's Grace...God is rich in mercy, and He LOVES us very much...We were spiritually dead because of all we have sinned against Him. But He gave us new life together with Jesus...You have been saved by God’s Grace...Yes, it is because we are a part of Jesus that God raised us from death and seated us together with Him in the heavenly places...God did this so that His kindness to us who belong to Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of His Grace...This means that you have been saved by Grace because you believed and have faith...You did not save yourselves; it was a Gift from God...You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about...God has made us what we are...In Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He had already planned for us to do...
Other writers have their thoughts on grace...Here are a few shared graceful thoughts that helps us learn more about the Gift of God's Grace...St. Augustine said this of God's Grace, "For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them."...Martin Luther said, "Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's Grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."...Pastor Rick Warren said, "What gives me the most hope every day is God's Grace; knowing that His grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God."...Preacher Henry Ironside wrote, "Grace is the very opposite of merit...Grace is not only undeserved favor, but it is favor, shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite."...Pastor Harold Warner said, "Humility is the gateway into the grace and the favor of God."...Baptist Minister Charles Spurgeon writes, "Grow in the root of all grace, which is faith...Believe God's promises more firmly than ever...Allow your faith to increase in its fullness, firmness, and simplicity."...The scientist Aristotle said this on grace..."The ideal man bears the accidents of life with dignity and grace, making the best of circumstances."...English politician Jacob Rees-Moog said, “Patience is a virtue; virtue is a Grace."...Author Ralph Waldo Emerson said this of Grace..."Beauty without Grace is the hook without the bait."...Ernest Hemmingway said, "Courage is Grace under pressure."...Author Denis Waitley tells us, "Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed...Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with LOVE, Grace, and Gratitude."...Author Max Lucado writes, "The meaning of life...The wasted years of life...The poor choices of life...God answers the mess of life with one word: 'Grace.'...