Eph. 2:4 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 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 workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What an amazing passage.
v4. Why would God have great love for us? Why would He have mercy on us?
v5. God not only created us to be in His image, but then He made us alive, again, while we were dead in our sins, to show us His grace.
v6. God the Father raised us up with His Son Christ, and then seated us WITH HIM, in the Heavenly realms. Think about that for a minute or two.
v7. He did this so that in the coming ages He could show off His great grace that He has expressed to us through Christ.
v8-9. We have been saved by grace, so that we can never boast about our salvation, which should in turn humble us as we reflect that God has chosen us, and not all men, in order to lavish His good gifts on us. "Why should He love me so?"
v10. All this He has done for us, so that we could be His hands and feet while we are here on earth doing the work He has prepared for us to do.
What a calling. What a privilege. Oh that we would take our calling serious and maximize our time, and effort, to be all that He would have us, and has called us, to be.
Way Beyond the Blue
Steven Curtis Chapman
Way beyond the blue, the Father is calling;
Let Him take you to a life beyond compare.
The passion fades and your sense of adventure
Sits collecting dust on a shelf;
The new gets old and hearts get cold.
Where's the flame that burned with excitement?
Where's the hope you once knew so well?
It's lost at sea with all your dreams.
There you stand caught between an endless sky above and earth below;
Look above and beyond what you can see to find a view of all that this life can be.
CHORUS
Way beyond the blue where the Father is calling,
Let Him take you to a life beyond compare;
His love is wider than the sky above you,
And He has plans for you that go way beyond the blue.
Like the wind carries an eagle,
Let His hand carry you now,
And show you scenes of His mighty strength.
As you rise high above all the riches that this world could give,
You will find the depth of His love,
And His grace that is lifting you up to live.
God has raised us up with Christ
And seated us with Him in heavenly places,
So that He can show the riches of His grace
To the coming ages.
Eph. 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
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