“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7
Because our own sinfulness has blinded our eyes, we fail to see the richness of God’s mercy toward us in Christ Jesus. But, in the coming ages, we will see “the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” We will see the great love God had for us when He sent His only-begotten Son to die for us and atone for our sins and when He raised us up from spiritual death and darkness to see our utter sinfulness and to trust in the redemption accomplished for us by Jesus Christ.
We thank You and praise You, O God, for the sacrifice of Your Son to redeem us from sin and death and to give us forgiveness and life through faith in His name. Amen.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus …” Ephesians 2:4-6
God, because of His rich love and mercy toward us lost sinners, graciously made us alive with Christ when He brought us to faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the world’s sins. He raised us up with Christ (through faith in His name) and gave us to sit together with Christ in His glorious heavenly kingdom.
Thank You, O God, for graciously granting to me faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, for raising me up from spiritual darkness and death to spiritual light and salvation, and for granting me new life and a place in Christ’s glorious kingdom, all through faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“…And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
The same power of God that exalted the risen Christ Jesus to God’s right hand and placed all things under His authority is also at work in us, who are members of Christ’s body through faith in Him. In Christ, our head, who fills all in all, we are also given victory over all our enemies and are raised up to share with Him in the glories of His everlasting kingdom.
Open my eyes, O Lord, to Your Spirit’s mighty working in me through Your Word to give me faith in Christ my Savior and to make me a partaker of the glories of Christ’s everlasting kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God’s love for the world, His love for each and every one of us, is demonstrated in this: He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die on the cross and bear the full punishment for our sins, with the desire and intent that we would repent of our sinful ways and place our faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross and not be condemned to the eternal fires of hell but receive God’s mercy, forgiveness and life everlasting!
O gracious and loving God, grant me faith to trust in Christ Jesus for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Not only is Jesus’ crucifixion a well-documented historical fact, but His resurrection appearances were witnessed by many. If anyone in the first century questioned the fact of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, many living eyewitnesses to His resurrection appearances could testify to the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead on the third day, as He said. And, because He did die for our sins and then rise again, we can be assured of forgiveness for our sins and a resurrection to life everlasting through faith in His name.
O crucified and risen Savior, grant me faith to trust that You died for my sins and rose again on the third day that I might be pardoned, forgiven, and have the eternal joys of heaven through faith in Your name. Amen.
