Ephesians
2:1-10 (HCSB) And you were dead in your
trespasses and sins in
which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according
to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now
working in the disobedient.
We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires,
carrying out the inclinations of our
flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the
others were also. 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! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and
seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might
display the immeasurable riches of His
grace through His kindness to
us in Christ Jesus. For
you are saved by grace through
faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not
from works, so that no one can boast. For
we are His creation, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we
should walk in them.
In the previous chapter of Ephesians, Paul tells
us of God’s power – power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. As believers,
we have access to this power. We too have been raised from the dead – the death
of our sin – raised to walk in a new life with Christ!
This past year has been full of changes – in
December of 2012 our household went from having 3 people living in it to 6. In
December of 2013 we added one more – a new life, a precious grandson, Maverick
Leo, born to our daughter and son in law. What I am learning is that God’s plan
for my life is not my plan, but His plan is so much better. As I read through
Ephesians 2, listen to sermons on the passage, and truly ask God what I am to
be learning, I see a new life in front of me and I get a glimpse of what Paul
is writing about. I see an innocent baby who doesn't know right from wrong at
this moment, but being born into this world, he is a sinner. He will grow,
walk, and learn in this world. It is my responsibility, as his gram, to continue
to live out, in front of him, God’s grace and love. It is also my
responsibility, to teach him as I talk to him about the gift of God’s power and
salvation. I believe God’s plan has allowed me to not only raise two children,
praying and teaching them of God’s grace, but also to pray for and teach my
grandson. (I’m not saying his parents are responsible for this too, but I am
blessed to be a part of this little guy’s life!)
My prayer from Maverick is that he grows and
learns of God’s grace; that he receives the power that only God can give; and
that he recognizes that he was created for God’s glory and plan and that he
will walk in God’s plan. A new physical life joined our family – already praying
for his spiritual life.
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