Devotional 3-20-09

“Rich in Mercy”
Ephesians 2: 1-10

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written while he was in prison. Yet- we do not read of his lamenting on his situation in life or his current condition. Indeed, when we read this scripture Paul is exclaiming the good news of being saved thru grace and not by good works!
In today’s world, this belief of saving grace gets pushed to the side by the secular world. Books, newspapers, TV shows and pundits all extol self-reliance and hard work to get a reward! The idea being that we must improve our productivity, our technology, our GDP, etc.

Paul reminds us that no amount of good work can help us achieve eternal life. It is because God is rich in his mercy toward us that we can be saved. This is not a type of “Rich” that the world can understand. In this time of economic hardship, financial loss and world-wide market upheaval let us be thankful to God knowing he is rich in his mercy toward us.

Verse 10 states “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Let us go forward in the certain knowledge that by his richness of grace we can do his work wherever he needs us!.

Marv Jones

Mission Prayer and Response Focus:
March 20: If you have little ones, give a quarter for every car seat you have.