Alive in Christ’s Mercy

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

Devotion:

In these verses, we witness the boundless mercy and unfathomable love of our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we were once dead in our trespasses, separated from God by our sins. Yet, even in our state of spiritual death, God did not abandon us. Instead, He intervened with His abundant mercy.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the depth of God’s mercy. It’s not just a small gesture or a fleeting emotion; it’s rich, overflowing, and beyond our comprehension. God’s mercy is not dependent on our worthiness or our ability to earn it. It flows freely from His great love for us.

Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we have been made alive. Our sins no longer hold us captive because Jesus conquered sin and death. Through His grace, we are saved. This is a truth that should fill us with gratitude and awe.

Moreover, not only has God made us alive in Christ, but He has also raised us up and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. This imagery is a powerful reminder of our identity and position as believers. We are no longer slaves to sin but co-heirs with Christ, sharing in His glory and seated at the right hand of God.

As Lutherans, we cling to the doctrine of grace alone. We understand that our salvation is not based on our own works or merits but solely on the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth should humble us and lead us to live lives of gratitude and obedience.

Today, let us meditate on the richness of God’s mercy and the depth of His love for us. Let us rejoice in the new life we have been given in Christ and the hope of our heavenly inheritance. And may we live each day in light of these truths, sharing the love and mercy we have received with others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your boundless mercy and great love towards us. Thank you for making us alive in Christ and for the gift of salvation through your grace. Help us to live each day in gratitude and obedience, sharing the love and mercy we have received with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.