TOPIC OF THE MONTH: BY GOD’S GRACE WE ARE MADE ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (EPHESIANS 2:4-7)
SUB TOPIC OF THE DAY:
Key Scripture: John 3:16-17
Introduction
For the last three months we have been sharing on the first three verses of Ephesians 2 in our theme of the year “MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST TO DO GOOD WORKS” (Ephesians 2:1-10). The verses 1, 2 and 3 speak to us that we all were one time dead in our sinfulness. The verses remind us that the sinner is dead in trespasses and sins. Satan and the world system keep sinners in constant state of deception. They are depraved in their appetites and their actions are inclined to sinning and in that state they have no appetite of the things of God. Their desire is to satisfy their lust and gratify their flesh. In this state they are separated from God by their sins. The dead sinner is draped in the state that he can do nothing to save himself. He is by nature a child of wrath.
For the next three months we shall be looking at verses 4-7; and today our message covers verses 4 and 5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by his grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
God’s Divine Intervention
God’s intervention was personal and precious. He took personal interest in us sinners to save us from sin. He was the origin of our salvation. He initiated the process of salvation himself. He took the first move because the lost sinner is incapable of making the move towards Him. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him and l will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).God’s move made the difference between life and death; between heaven and hell. While we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans5:8). God who is rich in mercy, and his great love for us, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in sins. This overabundance mercy which is without measure and unlimited was extended to the children of wrath. His mercy for the sinner flows out of his great love for the sinner.
God’s Love for Us
Verse 4 speaks of God’s love for us. This phrase refers to the “us” who are redeemed from among the lost multitudes described in verse 1-3. It speaks of the “us” who did not love him. It speaks of the “us” who lived inconstant rebellion against God’s Word, his will and his ways. It speaks of the “us” who deserved his judgment and eternal punishment in hell. I speaks of the “us” who hated him, but loved our sins. It speaks of the “us” who turned away from him in the open unrestrained rebellion, and yet he loved us still.
By Grace we are saved
When we were in depth of our sins, we deserved nothing but his wrath and damnation. God had no reason to reach out to us and redeem us. There was nothing in us that attracted him to us causing him to move in our direction. It was by grace he saved us (Verse 5). It was His great love for us that he saved us. This precious divine intervention occurred even when we were dead in sins. God did not wait until we improve our condition because we were incapable to change ourselves. He did not wait until we reform. He did not wait until we got better. He set his love on us while we were still dead in our sins. He loved us in spite of our wickedness. He reached down to us when he knew that we could not, and would not reach out to him.
The Love of God
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him“(John 3:16-17 NIV). The world God loved was not the physical world. This scripture is referring to mankind who is you and me. He wants you to experience his love and his wonderful plan he has for you. A sinner cannot experience this love and plan of God unless he believes in his one and only beloved Son.
Jesus the Son of God came that we may have eternal live that is free from the wrath of God. A sinner without Christ is has perished for he is separated for God by his sinful life, hence cannot save himself. Not even good works can save him. You cannot be saved by good works. Salvation is by the grace of God not by our good works. It is a free gift to those who believe in his Son through faith, only then their good works can be accepted by God. By their faith in the Jesus Christ, he gives them the power to become sons of God.
Conclusion
God wants you to know him personally so that you may do good works for him. But you cannot do good works unless you have been made alive in Christ to do the good works. You may not be sure and maybe wondering whether you are a child of God or not. There is only one way to be sure of this. Just believe that God sent his only beloved Son into the world because you have no power to save yourself and you cannot afford to pay for your salvation. Jesus has already paid the debt for you on the cross of Calvary and He offers it free. His plea is “come my son come and receive your gift of salvation free of charge”. Shall you reject this humble plea from your Savior? You may want to give your life to Jesus so that you are among those God has made alive and raised them up with Christ. You may want to pray. He is more concerned with the desires of your heart to receive Him.