January 19, 2024

Ephesians 2:1-10  (HCSB)
And you were dead  in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,  according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,   the spirit  now working in the disobedient.  3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly  desires, carrying out the inclinations  of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath  as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy,  because of His great love  that He had for us,  5 made us alive  with the Messiah even though we were dead  in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,  7 so that in the coming ages  He might display the immeasurable riches  of His grace through His kindness  to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace  through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation, created  in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time  so that we should walk in them.

Pastor HD Jones
“BUT God” is one of the greatest statements in all of scripture.  God’s mercy and great love has made us alive in Jesus.  Stop and think about that for a minute… always brings me to tears.  I have never been loved like that before.  Mom and Dad show me a lot of love; my wife and family love me well; and Temple Baptist, you have loved me… BUT no one ever loved me like Jesus. He gave me a life that I was willing to throw away; He forgave me of ALL of my sins; He has utilized me in His kingdom; and has blessed me beyond measure here and now but more importantly in the Sweet By and By! It is amazing that God would save us from hell but He also saved us for Heaven.  He doesn’t just pay back our debts but credits our accounts as if we deserved it.  He chose us while we were rejecting Him.  I don’t know how many more statements I could make… but we will spend an eternity thanking Him for what He has done.      His grace is amazing and that is why life is so important.  He created us with our relationship in mind.  We need to view others, even lost people, through His eyes.  He can change them because He has changed us.