If we to think big thoughts about the love of God for us, we must
learn to be honest about ourselves. When we are honest about ourselves,
we will learn to appreciate how wonderful the Lord’s love really is.
In Ephesians 2:1, Paul gives us a devastating description of
ourselves – “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and
sins.”Don’t you think that sounds a bit pessimistic? There is optimism
in Paul’s teaching, but it doesn’t come until Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But
God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love for us, 5 made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by
grace you have been saved.” What is it that changes Paul’s view of us?
It’s God. It’s His love. It’s His grace. It’s His mercy. Without His
love, our situation is hopeless. without Him, we’re in a dark alone –
and we can’t lift ourselves out of it. By ourselves, it just can’t be
done. We need to be lifted out of this dark hole. This needs to be done
for us by the Lord. Praise God! This is what He has done for us. we were
“dead” – and He has “made us alive.” This is the work of His love. His
grace and His mercy. In love, He has reached out to us us through His
Son, Jesus, crucified and risen for us. In mercy, He withholds from us
the judgment we deserve. In grace, He pours upon the salvation we don’t
deserve. All praise To God – the great God of our salvation!
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