God's Handiwork
Opening Prayer
Merciful God, You truly are a God of such amazing, amazing grace! I offer You my praise and worship.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10
[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. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is the basis of, and purpose for, our salvation?When I was a child, my mother took a college course involving some woodwork. She borrowed my father’s tools, but was horrified to find what bad condition some of them were in. In order to be useful, tools must be kept in good condition and used for their specific purpose. We have been created by God for a specific purpose, but are nearly useless because we have lived our lives in the wrong way, dominated by the world, the flesh and the devil (1-3). Sin has so misshapen us that we were only fit to be thrown away (3b). Yet just as my mother sharpened my father’s blunt tools, making them more serviceable, God has made us fit for his purpose again–risen with Christ, seated with him in heavenly places (5,6), ready to do good works (10). There is nothing we can do to help ourselves (8,9). We are totally dependent on the mercy of God, given not grudgingly, but out of love (4). If we break something we either repair it or throw it away, based on what it is worth to us. What great worth God has attached to us that he gave us such an amazing gift!
Apply
Thank God that he values you so highly and is willing to go to such great lengths to restore you for his loving purposes.
Closing prayer
Lord, I pray that You will make me fit to be used by You for Your good and loving purposes.
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