But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! – (Ephesians 2:4-5, HCSB)
But God is rich in mercy, and He loved us very much. We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against Him. But He gave us new life together with Christ. (You have been saved by God’s grace.) – (Ephesians 2:4-5, ERV)
But God, with the unfathomable richness of His love and mercy focused on us, united us with the Anointed One and infused our lifeless souls with life – even though we were buried under mountains of sin – and saved us by His grace. – (Ephesians 2:4-5, VOICE)
Christianity is the only faith that grants us salvation by grace. God’s love, grace, goodness and forgiveness are a freely given gift, we only have to choose to accept what He offers. In every other religion, a person must do enough or be enough to gain entry to a positive afterlife. Because what God gives us is a free gift, we are compelled to do good and live a life like Jesus. It is not a prerequisite, but rather an effect of His goodness to us. We know this, as one of the criminals on the cross beside Him asked that he be remembered, and Jesus told the criminal that He would be with Him in paradise. The criminal had confessed that he was deserving of his death and believed that Jesus was who He said He was. Imagine someone who repeatedly does you wrong, and you choose, freely, to lay down your life for theirs… That’s what Jesus did for all of us! May we each receive the gift that God freely and lovingly offers, and choose to extend the same love to all those whom we encounter.
The goodness of God,
is mercy and grace;
He freely forgives,
as we seek His face.
It’s overwhelming,
to think of His love;
that gave us His life,
Our Father above.
We cannot earn it,
nor be good enough;
it is a free gift,
that helps us become.
Become the children,
we’ve been called to be;
people who choose love,
as we know we’re free.
Free from our own sin,
the debt has been paid;
our hope is assured,
for He made the way.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You freely forgive and grant us eternal life when we accept and receive all that You chose to do on our behalf. Forgive us for thinking that we have to do or be enough to be loved by You, for You loved us so much that You laid down Your life while we were stuck in our sins. Teach us to trust You and Your word, and lead us to love as You love. Show us how to care well for those around us so that they too, might come to know Your goodness and Your grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the great love You freely give and the hope that is everlasting in You. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Measure how high heaven is above the earth; God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him. – Psalm 103:11