Ephesians 2:4-6

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in o
ur 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 coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

There are so many examples of God’s immeasurable love for us throughout the entire bible but none strike at the core of my own hardness of heart and feelings of worthlessness than the reminders that God does not love us because we are worthy…

HE LOVES US BECAUSE HE IS GOD!

It’s easy when talking about Ephesians 2 to go straight to the Saved By Grace, the “what” He’s done, but for me this morning I feel my heart being mended by looking at the “why” He did it.

Here we are told specifically that He saved us so that “…in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us…”

His nature, His purpose, His desire is that we know Him and be known by Him. I know evangelicals beat up the term “in relationship”, but what is the very thing that the human condition, the fall, Satan himself wants to destroy above all else; our relationships with God and each other.

The “why” He does all things is because of love. It is through God’s merciful relationship and favor that we are healed.

God is love, God’s word is love, The Holy Spirit presses out our own selfishness and draws us towards those same actions of love towards the world around us, as Jesus Himself modeled a sacrificial life of Love above all others.

BUT GOD

His intervention in our lives is His choice for His reasons in His time for His glory.

We are the byproduct of love. His creation, His salvation, His justification, His sanctification.

We are simply to love others as He loves us, to walk each day filled with an attitude of immeasurable gratitude not because of the stuff we have or the easy and comfortable life we may get to experience or long for, but solely because He is our God.

He must fill our vision; our purposes and passions must be centered on His great love for us to the point where we have no other desire than to pour that same healing grace and mercy on others.

Luke 7:47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

It is that very place of brokenness; the shame, unworthiness, mistrust and fear… that old self who lingers that can be the very thorn that keeps us filled with a passionate awareness of what God is doing in every circumstance of our lives, especially the difficult times.

It is Him that is doing, not us. We don’t have to perform for the world anymore, we don’t have to prove ourselves or live up to the impossible standards of others expectations. We simply have the incredible joy of basking in the warmth of God’s great love for us because He chooses to love us. His yolk is light!

The imagery, lyrics and message in this video overwhelms me with emotion every time I watch it, I can’t recommend enough slowing down for just 5 minutes and give yourself the opportunity to glimpse upon the healing grace of God.

Father God, my tears this morning are not of pain, but of overwhelming gratitude. It was less than 4 years ago that you found me by a stream on my knees, broken to the point of giving up, ready to leave this world because I saw no hope, no purpose, no joy in anything this world had to offer. And yet today I am reminded that in the midst of my striving and carrying-on that I am not who I was, that my striving come from a heart that cares, that loves, that desires for others to know Your incredible healing grace, love and mercy which is not influenced by where we have been, but is 100% covered by who You are. Thank you Father for being a father I can learn to trust, and thank You for Your patience and mercy while I battle my way through my own history of thinking there is something I can earn or some action that will make up for my past. Thank you for the reminder this morning Lord that it’s not about me anymore, we have been set free from that,. Today I pray that all Your children be filled with the overwhelming joy that we are here because You loved us first, and that is all that matters. May our lives be a response to Your unconditional and unmerited Love and not in a false pursuit of it. Thank you Jesus, it is in Your precious name I pray…