2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Terrie's Comments:
Merry Christmas Everyone! This is what it is all about... The whole Bible hinges on this... Jesus was the plan from the beginning. We are saved from bondage to sin and the devil and are free so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago! There is NOTHING we can do to earn salvation ... there is NOTHING we can do to earn our way to heaven! It is a FREE GIFT so that we can only boast in Jesus not our own works. God is so rich in MERCY and LOVE!! This time of year we have more freedom to speak about this MARVELOUS FREE GIFT... don't let it slip by without giving that gift away! It is the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!
Tori's Comments:
Just comparing the freedom I claimed to feel before following Christ to now is shocking in itself. Any chains that still bind me are ones I put on myself, forgetting that Christ has freed me.
"He loved us so much" I just want to rest in that for a minute.
By forgetting that freedom He's given us, I'm actually attempting to take away glory from God's overflowing mercy and love. Remember.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)