God’s Renewing Word of Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
Ephesians 2:1-10: All of us were spiritually dead because of sin, but God has restored us to life with Christ. In union with Christ Jesus, we are created for a life of good deeds which God has already prepared for us to do.
Scripture Reading
From Death to Life
1 In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. 2At that time you followed the world’s evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. 3Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God’s anger.
4But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, 5that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved. 6In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world. 7He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of his grace in the love he showed us in Christ Jesus. 8-9For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. 10God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Today’s Key Verse: Ephesians 2:4, 5a
God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ.
Reflect
How is a life of disobedience to God described (verses 1-3)? According to verses 4-10, what is the source of our salvation? In mentioning God’s grace three times (verses 5, 7, 8), what is the important message Paul is conveying?
Pray
Lord God, thank you for your abundant mercy and for the gift of your loving grace and offering me life through your Son, Jesus. Nurture me each day with your precious and holy Word and strengthen my faith for a life of good deeds that you have prepared for me to do. Amen.
And now, join us in praying for the success of the Digital Bible Library (DBL): a new and visionary venture in Bible translation. Almighty God, we thank you for the development of the DBL and pray that it will reach the goal of housing digital Scripture in every language spoken on earth by the year 2033. May the power of your Word reach people from every tribe, in every nation, in their heart language. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Ephesians 2:11-22: All people, Jews and Gentiles, are one in Christ.