Over the next few weeks in our Rooted in Christ Study, we’ll be looking at some of the favorite passages from our staff at St. Matthew’s UMC. These are some of the parts of the Bible to mean to most to our staff.

Today’s reading is Ephesians 2: 1-10

Today we read one of the central truths of the Gospel – we are saved by grace through faith, so no one can boast. Our salvation does not come from anything that we do, we do not earn it.  It is a gift that is received through faith. That’s the truth of the Gospel.  We don’t earn it. At all. We receive it.  This is such a powerful concept if we can ever truly grasp it. When we realize that we can’t earn our salvation, we stop trying to earn it. We simply live it.

We move from living our lives in a manner to make God love us.  Instead, we live our lives as a response to God’s love.  You are loved today. You are truly and deeply loved, no matter what has ever happened in your life.  Your salvation does not come from anything you do.  It comes from what He has done for you.  You are loved.  You receive it through faith. That’s it. Then that gift changes everything moving forward.

Today, stop trying to make God love you.  Instead, live your life as a response to God’s love and grace. Then life is properly ordered.

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