For Sinners Only

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

By grace you have been saved through faith ...; it is the gift of God, not of works, lets anyone should boast. --- Ephesians 2:8-9

The Bible In One Year:
Ezra 3-5
John 20

Many non-Christians know the hymn "Amazing Grace" but may not know what grace means. One day when evangelist D.L. Moody was studying the meaning of God's grace, he dashed into the street and shouted to the first man he saw, "Do you know grace?" Mystified, the man replied, "Grace who?" No doubt Moody then explained grace --- that God has compassion on sin-sick people and freely offers them forgiveness and new life through faith in Christ.

I heard of a man who had lived a troubled life and died without understanding the message of God's grace. A minister had talked to him and encouraged him to come to church, but his response was, "I'm too undeserving." He didn't know that God's grace i sfor the undeserving.

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he bluntly described their pre-Christian lives as being "dead in trespasses and sins" [2:1]. Then he used two hope-filled words: but God [v.4]. They introduce God's mercy and grace that provide forgiveness and new life through Christ. Salvation is through faith, not works, so no one can boast [vv.8-9].

Let's help others to understand that God's salvation is for sinners only --- and that includes all of us. That's what makes God's grace so amazing! --- Joanie Yoder

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but not am found,
Was blind but now I see. --- Newton

THE FIRST STEP TO RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE IS TO ADMIT THAT WE DON'T DESERVE IT.