“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” –Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT
Welcome to the 11th devotional recap of the year. This week, we learned what it means to be dead in sin, alive in Christ, and seated in Christ. We also learnt of God’s lavish mercy and Grace.
We began the week by delving into the concept of spiritual death as described in Ephesians 2:1-2. It signifies separation from God for those who don’t embrace Jesus and the Gospel. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, humanity is freed from sin’s grip, reconciled with God, and granted eternal life and all we have to do is believe (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
Tuesday’s devotional highlighted the transformative power of Christ, who brings life to those who were once dead in sin (Ephesians 2: 1-5). Anyone dead in sin can become alive in Christ when they believe in the Gospel’s message. Jesus himself declared in John 10: 10 that He has come to give us abundant life. Therefore, being alive in Christ is marked by eternal and abundant life.
On Wednesday, we delved into God’s lavish love. We saw various illustrations of this throughout the Bible, like Jesus’ teaching on boundless forgiveness, reflecting God’s infinite mercy (Matthew 18:21-22). The story of the prodigal son illustrating the inexhaustible abundance of God’s grace (Luke 15:11–32). Also that God’s grace extends to all, exemplified by Saul’s transformation (Acts 9:1-6). Therefore, as recipients of His limitless love, we’re called to extend mercy to others, reflecting the lavish nature of our God.
Thursday’s devotional reminded us that we are seated in Christ. Sitting in Christ or at His right-hand side is a figurative expression of authority (Ephesians 2: 5-6). The secret to walking in authority as a believer is to come to the consciousness of who God is, who you are in Him, and where you are seated – far above principalities and powers (Mark 16:17-18, Ephesians 1:16-19).
We rounded up the week on Friday by learning that grace and salvation are gifts from God and not things we worked for (Ephesians 2: 8-9). Therefore, we cannot boast of them. Salvation portrays God’s merciful and gracious character, and not ours.
When we fully recognise man’s utter helplessness and God’s sovereign generosity in salvation, it is impossible to boast in our works! What God did for us, no man could have done for himself (Romans 6:23). Let us be grateful to God for His gift.
Brethren, we were once dead in sins, but God, rich in mercy, saved us, gave us a new life, and now we are seated at Christ’s right hand. The only way we can show our appreciation is by taking this same Gospel that saved us to the world.
Enjoy The Weekend!
Bible Reading Plan Catchup