Daily Walk Through the New Testament

December 26
Read Ephesians 2:4-3:7

Scripture says we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Ephesians echoes that by saying that without Christ, we were “dead in trespasses and sins” and “by nature children of wrath” (2:1, 3). We know that something dead cannot bring itself to life, but praise God that by His grace, He makes the spiritually dead spiritually alive!
When we put our faith in Christ for salvation, God “made us alive together with Christ” (2:5). We are united with Christ, and we share in His resurrected life and heavenly glory. We are no longer slaves to our sinful nature, we are enabled to do good works, and we are destined for heaven. God didn’t just leave us in our helpless state, even though we were His enemies — He saved us and poured out His blessings on us. What mercy! How can this be? “Because of His great love with which He loved us” (vs. 4).
God is the epitome of love. He possesses and practices a love that is beyond human comprehension, and His great love results in giving us mercy. We did not earn or deserve salvation; He took the initiative to save us because of who He is!
We are examples of God’s mercy. May we not forget the state from which we have been redeemed, and may we bring Him glory for His work of salvation. Praise god today that He is holy, loving, and merciful!