Today’s Reading, Ephesians 1-3
Focal Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.”
I think most people have a memorable gift that they have received. This gift doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It might even be something that has been passed down from family member to family member. Or it could be a gift that has lots of memories. It might even be a practical gift that is used everyday. No matter what the gift is it has value to you. It is something you think about often and has touched your life in a significant way.
In today’s reading Paul is addressing the church in Ephesus. He wants them to know how a person goes from death to life. He reminds them they are saved by God’s grace and power. He is the one who initiates salvation as the one who does the saving. This is the importance of the focal verse because Paul lets them know they are saved through faith. However, the faith they have is a gift from God so they can believe into salvation. He even goes further and tells them they can’t work their way into salvation. God’s mercy and grace is a gift that should be thought about often.
The challenge for believers is to make sure we never lose the awe of the gift of salvation. For those of us who have been saved for a while you can get used to being saved and dampen down the power of the gospel. Just as we look at a physical gift with awe and wonder, even emotions because of what it means to us, we should habe wonder for salvation.
The faith we need to believe does not originate in us. It originates and is gifted to us through the Christ. We have the greatest gift and we sometimes never talk or think about. Our gift should have faith should be shared. Just the way we tell others about a gift that touched our lives and hearts we should tell others about the gift of faith.
If you have lost your awe and wonder over salvation I hope you get it back today. We have been given a great gift and it should work mightily in our lives and in the lives of others.
So during this Christmas season let us rejoice in God’s gift of faith.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Ephesians 4-6
