‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The concept of God’s grace can be found throughout the Bible, and its importance cannot be overstated. In Ephesians 2:1-10, the apostle Paul provides a clear and powerful explanation of how God’s grace alone is what gives us the opportunity to have a relationship with God.

One key issue in this passage has to do with the nature of humanity. Prior to salvation, how bad are we without God’s grace? How empty can our heart be without the love of Christ? Paul describes people as “dead in their trespasses and sins,” which has been interpreted in a number of ways. Some read this as a total depravity view, suggesting that people are completely incapable of doing anything good apart from God’s grace. Others see it as a more nuanced description of the human condition, acknowledging that people are certainly sinful, but not necessarily completely incapable of good deeds. Ultimately, both views intersect with this truth. We are dead in our sin and God’s grace saves us from death and brings us into life.

Another important question in this passage has to do with the role of faith and grace in salvation. Paul emphasizes that humans are not saved by their own efforts, but rather by grace through faith. This suggests that salvation is not something we can earn or achieve on our own, but rather a gift from God that we receive by faith. At the same time, there is some debate about the exact relationship between faith and grace in this passage. Some argue that faith is a kind of work that we do in order to merit salvation, while others emphasize that faith itself is a gift from God, and that it is the means by which we receive his grace. Foundational to this relationship we know that God is in control and the author of all things. Grace comes from God and the ability to have faith in him is created by God.  

Through Chapter 2 Paul emphasizes that through Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have been brought near to God, and that they are both part of the same body of Christ. This has significant implications for how we think about diversity and inclusion in the church today, and challenges us to think about what it means to truly be a family, one body in Christ, regardless of our backgrounds or cultural differences. This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate the very grace God has given us and allow our faith, hope in God, to shape our love for one another.  Let’s commit these three fundamental truths to me memory.

WE ARE DEAD IN OUR TRANSGRESSION AND SINS
Paul describing our natural state as humans: we are dead in our transgressions and sins, and our disobedience has separated us from God. It is only through God’s grace that we can be saved from this spiritual death and reconciled to Him.

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT FROM GOD
Paul emphasizes that our salvation is a free gift from God, and not something that we can earn or deserve. We are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ.

GOD’S GRACE IS OUR FOUNDATION
God’s grace is the foundation of our relationship with Him. Without it, we would be hopelessly lost in our sin and unable to connect with our Creator. As Christians, we must humbly accept and embrace God’s grace, recognizing that it is only through His loving and merciful nature that we are able to experience forgiveness and the blessings of salvation.

HOW DOES THIS PRACTICALLY WORK  OUT?

A parent’s love for their child is one of many works God prepared ahead of time for us. Let’s take this one example of the works that are laid out before us to better understand how God’s grace shapes us. 

MODELING RELATIONSHIPS AFTER GOD’S GRACE
The bond between a parent and a child can be one of the purest things in life, and it can provide us with a glimpse into the depth of God’s grace. When a parent forgives a child’s mistake, they are showing love and compassion in a similar way that God forgives us for our sins. In fact, the Bible often uses the metaphor of a parent-child relationship to describe the relationship between God and His children. This is the model we should always turn to. 

“By modeling our own relationships after God’s grace filled relationship with us, we can begin to express the nature of God’s grace. This brings scripture to life, and our faith becomes real to us and others.”

CONFIDENCE TO LOVE OTHERS
A parent’s love for their child is not unconditional but it shouldn’t be dependent on their child’s behavior or accomplishments. In contrast God’s love for us is not dependent on our success or our failures. His love is unconditional and a free gift. This should give us confidence to relax, rest, and find confidence to be who God has made us to be. 

“His grace is freely given, no matter what we do or who we are. Having Faith in God can give us the confidence to love others like God loves us.”

This sort of unconditional love can be difficult to comprehend, but it is essential to understanding and accepting God’s grace in our lives.

BE JOYFUL
When a parent sees their child grow and succeed, they experience immense pride and happiness. In the similar way, when we accept God’s grace and grow in our faith, we experience real joy and fulfillment. 

“The joy that comes from receiving God’s grace is not just a feeling, but a state of being. By embracing God’s grace, we can experience true joy and happiness in our lives.”

In conclusion, by looking to the relationship between a parent and a child, we can see a powerful illustration of God’s grace. Through unconditional love, forgiveness, and joy, we can begin to understand the true nature of God’s grace and the incredible blessings that it brings. By embracing this grace in our own lives, we can experience a deep and transformative relationship with God, and carry that relationship with us throughout our lives. Not just in the relationships of a parent and a child, but in every type of work that God has prepared ahead of time for you. 

We must realize the depth of our sin, and long for the grace of God. Jesus has taken the punishment, alienation, condemnation, and death that we deserve. This has given us the opportunity to  receive the honor, glory, and acceptance that comes from the grace of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gives us grace to give grace. In other words, works of grace through Jesus Christ, all for the glory of God. 

Let Go – of the fears and uncertainties that haunt you, and find power to love freely through the grace God gives.

Lean In – to doing the work that God has planned for you.

Lead Others – to understanding and accepting God’s gift of grace. It has the power to change your life and all the lives around you.