Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Reflection:

Paul reminds us that God has rescued us, not because of anything we have done to deserve it (our own merits), but because of His grace (his kindness, unmerited favor). What an amazing reversal - we who were once dead in our transgressions (violations of God’s commands) are now God’s handiwork. And we are not some works of art for display only, but called to do good works - created in Christ Jesus and prepared by God in advance, as we continue to experience His transformation in our lives.

Responding to the Transmission:

Let’s pray that we will faithfully live out our calling to do the good works that God has planned for us. May we be a people of continual transformation, changed by the incomparable riches of God’s grace that is being expressed in His kindness to us and to others.