Daily Devotion, October 14, 2020

 

Devotion: Read Ephesians 2:1-9.

During October, our Lutheran brothers and sisters will celebrate the life of Martin Luther (1483-1546). These verses in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---not by works so that no one can boast,” were life-changing for Martin Luther, and as a result changed the course of the Christian church’s history.

Being reconciled to God is completely God’s gift. We continue to wrestle with this. Some like to believe that we are reconciled to God by our good works. Some like to believe that we are reconciled to God by having enough faith. Instead, these verses remind us that it is completely God’s gift to us. We can’t earn it, deserve it, do enough good works for it, be good enough for it, or even grovel enough for it. It is not we who are able to make peace with God, but God who makes peace with us through God’s own gift of Christ. There is nothing we can do but simply receive this gift offered by the grace of God.

I was taught in Greek classes to read Paul’s writings sometimes in reverse order. So now let’s see what a difference this gift of being reconciled to God can make in our lives! Before this gift, the scriptures tell us, “You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived…but God made us alive with Christ…and raised us up with Christ…” We have been brought from death unto life and not only life, but eternal life!!!

Our God, who initially breathed the very breath of life into us, is broken-hearted when we live in ways which lead to death, death of our bodies, souls, minds and hearts. Our God, “who is rich in mercy” is forever desiring to bring us to life again! Our part is to receive this gift of life!!!

Our good works then, are no longer works to earn salvation. Our good works are our “thank-you’s” to God for giving us this marvelous gift of grace through Christ!!! The purpose of our lives begins going in a new direction to live everyday in thanksgiving to God!!! Personal Worship Option: Thank you God for this marvelous gift you have given unto us to have life and life eternal! Help us to live lives in daily thanksgiving unto you by loving and serving others. Amen.