April 24 One Reason

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.
 
THE One Problem of all mankind is that we are born dead to God. Then comes the “but”. This three-letter word is a simple conjunction in the English language, but it is a word that is a life-transforming transition in biblical language. Paul ends verse 3 describing how those saved into Jesus’ church were one with all mankind under sin’s wrath. Then he says, “But God.”
    You were failing the course, but then a great tutor saved you to pass and succeed in your goals. You were sick with failed kidneys, but then a transplant saved you. You were broke financially, but then a new job saved you. You were signing the divorce papers, but then God’s wisdom restored you. You were mourning your spouse’s death, but then gracious friends supported you.
    You were born dead to God, but God loves you too much to keep you there! His love lights up his mercy. His mercy ignites his grace. His grace says, “I will make a way for you to be one with God.”
    And so God acted. The Creator, who formed all life, has acted to re-form you from dead in sins, separated from God, to be alive in Jesus, one with God. “Therefore,” Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
    Yes, behold – or see – that you were born dead to God. Then behold how the one reason you are no longer dead to God. God’s astonishing grace has made you alive in Jesus. Rejoice and be glad for God’s eternal gift of salvation. Seek to be one with the One who saw that you were dead in sin. Then rejoice that he said, “But I will make you alive in Jesus.”
 
Prayer: From Psalms 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. I praise you for your love, mercy and grace to make me alive, one with you. In Jesus, my Savior, I thank you. Amen.