Day 4 - Jesus died so that we might be forgiven
“8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Forgiven by Grace Through Faith
Today on our fourth day of prayer and fasting, we are looking at how Jesus died so that we might be forgiven.
According to the Bible, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin is a barrier that separates humans from God and prevents us from having a relationship with Him.
However, God's love for humanity was so great that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Through His sacrifice, Jesus atoned for our sins, and by believing in Him, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God. This process is called salvation.
In today’s verse we can see the importance of grace and faith. As we have just seen salvation is a gift from God that is not earned by our own works or merits but is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
This is emphasized in the phrase "not by works, so that no one can boast," which means that we cannot boast about our own efforts or achievements in obtaining salvation, because it is a gift from God.
Saved for a Purpose
Paul begins this chapter with how things were. We were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1). A dead person cannot help themselves. Then come two of the best words in the Bible: “But God.” Because He is rich in mercy, He made us alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:4–5).
In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
Good works do not earn this forgiveness, but they follow it. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do the good works He prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). And people who have been forgiven learn to forgive others, just as God in Christ forgave them (Ephesians 4:32).
Pray It Through
Confess. Is there anything you need to bring into the light? Tell God, and receive His forgiveness.
Stop earning. Thank God that your salvation is a gift, and rest in it.
Forgive. Is there someone you need to forgive? Ask God for the grace to begin.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, thank you. We give You glory and praise for the amazing grace that You have shown us through Jesus.
Keep going
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