EPHESIANS 2:1-10 – And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
THEME OF THE DAY: BE OVERWHELMED BY HIS MERCY. Get in a group of Christian friends and ask the question of everyone, “Have you been overwhelmed recently?” Everyone is going to look at us like, “What planet are you from? Haven’t you been keeping up with what is happening in the world, our nation, schools, and society? Of course, I have been overwhelmed with trying circumstances, intense trials, and challenging relationships.” Now that the stage is set, don’t respond. Grab your Bible and read today’s scripture aloud. Then ask the question again adding three words – “Have you been overwhelmed recently by God’s mercy?”
In the Ephesians passage, the Apostle Paul is describing the before and after conditions of the Ephesian believers; before God’s grace came to their rescue and after they were rescued. The condition before was dead, not physically, but the walking dead spiritually. They followed the devil and didn’t know it. They were controlled by their sinful passions constantly disobeying God’s holy law. And they were under the indescribable burden of God’s wrath. Hopeless and doomed for eternity describe them. Then come two of the sweetest words a sinner will ever hear – But God.
After describing the eternally dangerous condition the Ephesians, and us, were in outside of Christ, the Apostle Paul would pen the most liberating and overwhelming truths for convicted sinners – But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. Pause now and answer the second question – “Have you been overwhelmed recently by God’s mercy?” If not, we are falling to the greatest danger we face as Christians; losing the awe factor of the Gospel and for today, the mercy found in it. How does this happen? Let me offer two reasons (there are more for sure).
First, start neglecting the Word, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. Let busyness and worldliness cut into quality spiritual time with the Lord and His people in the four pillars of the church – Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42), and we will be overwhelmed, not with God’s mercy, but life. There will be little spiritual vitality in our walks with the Lord Jesus.
Next, don’t meditate on or study God’s Word, simply read it. We must recover the necessary discipline of Biblical meditation and study of the Word – words, doctrine, principles – to be overwhelmed with Who God is and thus be overwhelmed with His mercy. Always remember we read, study, and meditate not to gain knowledge but Christ; to know Him, not just about Him. As that occurs, we will be overwhelmed with His mercy!
PRAYER: “Lord, overwhelm me with the greatness of Your mercy to me.”
QUOTE: “Realizing God’s undeserved and rich mercy causes us to love Him more zealously.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim