Ephesians 2:1-10
Grace is a concept that is central to our
understanding of God, and of our relationship with Him. But even though we say
with our mouth that grace is central, in reality too many people never
experience grace. We do mental gymnastics in explaining it, but don't ever
allow it to take over.
The title for today’s entry is an old
acronym that spells out what grace means. God gives us what we don’t deserve
and that gift cost Jesus His earthly life. And why did He do that? His great
love for us (v5). Love really is an action verb. All the actions in this
passage were motivated by love. And that love is unique.
We humans often love others conditionally.
Often that condition is an unspoken one, but the condition, the expectation,
the desire is present from the beginning of the action. We do a little act
hoping to get a simple “Thank You.” We have the need to be appreciated, made to
feel important, and that need carries us into action in order to meet the need.
We don’t consciously do this kind of math, but it is so often there.
But God knew He would get nothing in return.
He died without any preconditions on His mind. He paid the price for everyone’s
sin, even those He knew would reject Him.
What this means in practical terms is this:
you can’t earn God’s favor, you already have it. He will never love you more or
less. He will never accept you more or less than He does now. You will never be
good enough. He loves you. He accepts you. It is His job to work in and through
you to change you and the world.
Are you willing to let Him do that?