We are still studying Ephesians in small group. I
love getting together with people that are not afraid to go right to the Bible
and read it word for word and discuss it. We talk about hard questions,
challenge each other in our preconceived thoughts and ideas.
Last week we ended with a very familiar verse to
most Christians.
“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“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.”
I think a lot of time we (meaning
Christians) make each other feel like we have to earn or prove our relationship
with Lord to each other.
We go to
church and instead of rejoicing in the Grace that has brought us there, we
eliminate the very Grace of God, by trying to prove to each other that we are
worth it.
That is something that I struggle with. I so
often want to ‘earn’ God’s favor. To try
and follow the rules so I can feel there is something I have done to deserve
it. I want to get all A's on my "Christianity Report card". That’s not
what God wants.
The verse doesn’t end in verse 9, it goes on to say;
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.
A masterpiece. He has created us anew in
Christ.
Let me say that again. HE has created us anew
in Christ.
And He finishes up with the Why –
So we can do the good things HE planned for us long
ago.
Let’s stop doing good things simply to prove ourselves
to God, or our Church, our neighbors or facebook . :)
GOD MADE US HIS MASTERPIECE. HE CREATED US TO BE NEW IN CHRIST.
So we can do the things HE PLANNED FOR US long ago.
Notice it’s not about us. We can’t take the
credit. Let’s keep it that way.
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