Click here to watch my video reflection on our text for today, or keep reading for my written reflections: 

Today as one of our readings, we look at Ephesians 2: 1-10:

You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

Today is a day set aside in the church to remember Martin Luther.  He was the great reformer and those of us who are not Catholic can trace the beginning of our churches to him.  One of Luther’s major points is what we see emphasized here by Paul.  We are saved by grace through faith, lest no one can boast. 

We are saved by our works or anything that we can do. We are not saved by our actions. We do not earn our salvation. We do not earn God’s love. 

Let me say this very clearly so that you understand it.  You do not earn God’s love.  You cannot earn God’s.  

You.  Cannot.  Earn.  God’s.  Love.  It is impossible to do it.  

He simply loves you. It is not a wage that is earned, it is a gift that is given. You are loved, no matter what.  God loves you. Not because of your efforts, but because of who He is.  You are love.  Today.  Forever. 

We do not live our lives as an effort to earn God’s love. We live our lives out as a response to God’s love.  

When we understand that, it changes everything. We do not live to earn love. We live as a response to love.  

You are saved by grace today.  Live in that.  Believe it. Know it.  Your salvation is a gift.  Receive and live a thankful life. 

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