Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2You were dead through the trespasses and sins Verse 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. Verse 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.
Verse 4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us Verse 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- Verse 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Verse 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Verse 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God- Verse 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Verse 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Devotion
I used to think it was my job save the world. By squeezing in one more mission trip over the summer, saying a prayer with a little more fervor or displaying an act of perfect piety in the face of peer pressure, I thought I could conquer unrighteousness and God would be exceptionally pleased with me. It was exhausting, not to mention misguided.
It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment when I began to understand that it's God who does the saving. Thank goodness I learned it was okay to surrender God's work to God and enjoy God's gift of grace.
Paul points out to the Ephesians that Christ invites us to partner in God’s redeeming work in the world. It's not up to us alone to save, nor are we given an extra star on our heavenly deeds chart for the good we do. Each of us was particularly equipped by the Spirit to serve our neighbor, and through faith we trust that God works in, despite and through us.
Prayer
Lord, today help me let go. Amen.