It Starts Small

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,⁵ made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Ephesians 2:4-10

But God

The word “but” stands as a beacon of hope in the Bible! Here, Paul masterfully employs “but” to reveal a stark contrast. It distinguishes our former, lifeless existence from the vibrant new life we have in Christ. We were all trapped in the grip of sin. We were ensnared by the realm of Satan. We pursued fleeting pleasures and shallow gratifications tirelessly. But! But God, in His boundless mercy, refused to abandon us to this desolation! Out of His immense love, He sent Jesus, who “made us alive together with Christ” through grace! He rescued us. We were on the perilous path of destruction. He set us upon the narrow road that leads to eternal life. He empowered us to boldly declare “no” to sin, gifting us the ability to live righteously and passionately for Him!

Reflective Moment: One pivotal area of my life where God has profoundly transformed me is in my struggle with sin. Through His divine grace, I’ve experienced a radical shift in my attitude. I moved from shame to repentance, and finally, to victory! I once felt ensnared. Now I embrace His love and forgiveness. I passionately seek to uproot this sin from my life. My heart stirs with a fervent desire to honor God. I diligently pursue spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and scripture study. These practices fortify my resolve and sustain my triumph!

He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens

God has gloriously welcomed us into His kingdom. He has bestowed upon us the incredible honor of a seat at His divine table! In stark contrast, verse 2 depicts Satan as the “prince of the power of the air.” He rules over his dark domain. Once, we were ensnared in that kingdom of despair, but now we are redeemed and restored!

But after salvation, God has welcomed us into His magnificent kingdom, granting us a cherished seat at His celestial “table.” One glorious day in heaven, we will rejoice at the Great Banquet. It is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This will be a celebration like no other! Even before that day arrives, we firmly hold our place in His kingdom. We actively engage in the dynamic task of administering and advancing that kingdom here on earth. Within this profound message, we uncover a multitude of contrasts. These contrasts exist between the “before” and the “after” of salvation. Indeed, this stands as yet another striking difference that ignites our spirits!

the immeasurable riches of his grace

The boundless treasures of His grace – God is not just rich but extravagantly generous! There’s nothing stingy or reserved about Him. He freely pours out abundant spiritual (and often material) blessings upon us, overflowing with love and kindness. God desires that we wholeheartedly embrace His shining example of generosity. Just as He has lavishly given from His infinite wealth, we too must eagerly share with those around us. What precious resource has God entrusted to you that you can joyfully offer to others? How will you bring this to life?

 For you are saved by grace through faith

Here are several key verses about the gospel. They resonate with an undeniable truth: Salvation is a magnificent gift. It is bestowed by grace through faith! It is crucial to understand that no amount of good works can earn this salvation. It is utterly and completely the work of God in our lives! Sitting in a church pew cannot secure your salvation. Neither can fervent prayers, generous giving to the needy, or devout readings of the Bible. Even baptism, no matter how meaningful, cannot save you. Singing in the choir, while uplifting, holds no power for salvation. Engaging in ministry—preaching, teaching, or any other noble endeavor—cannot bring about your salvation. Recognize this profound truth: our salvation is solely in the hands of our loving God!

The word “grace” ignites a profound realization. God, in His boundless love, offers us a treasure we could never earn. We can never repay it. This treasure is salvation! Our sins are heavy with judgment, yet in His glorious mercy, God presents us with an incredible gift: eternal life! This divine gift flows from His heart to ours, transforming our very existence. It is a magnificent offering from God, a testament to His unwavering love and generosity!

good works

When I dive into verses 8-10, I’m constantly struck by the incredible logical flow of ideas they present. We uncover the profound truth that salvation isn’t something we can earn. It’s a magnificent gift from God, given by His grace. In response, many people might wonder, “What’s the purpose of good deeds?” Some might even conclude that if good deeds don’t grant us salvation, then why bother pursuing them at all? But Paul swiftly intercepts this misguided thinking before it even takes root. He passionately reminds us that good deeds may not be the path to salvation. However, we were profoundly created for these acts of goodness. Engaging in acts of kindness is an inherent part of our purpose!

In other words, a devoted believer must wholeheartedly engage in good deeds! God has crafted each of us for this magnificent purpose. He has intricately designed us with exceptional gifts and talents. These are specific to the vast and beautiful mission He has in mind for us. We are meant to build His glorious kingdom. He has endowed us with all the resources and opportunities necessary to bring these good deeds to life. God meticulously plans our paths. He hands us remarkable opportunities for service. He “prepares beforehand” the good deeds we are destined to fulfill. Each day is a divine invitation, urging you to achieve remarkable feats for Him.

Perhaps it’s to uplift or pray fervently for your beloved spouse. Maybe He nudges you to reach out to a dear friend and share an uplifting verse. It might even be that He longs for you to dedicate precious moments to meditation and prayer. When we ponder the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we can vividly see that God yearned for the first people who passed by to step in. He wanted them to do their part. They needed to perform a good deed. Yet, they succumbed to their own busyness. They also fell into apathy. Tragically, they missed that divine moment of opportunity. They lost the chance to make a difference forever.

Each day that slips away without fulfilling God’s divine plan is a day lost forever. The Apostle Paul fervently urges us in Ephesians 5:16 to “redeem the time.” Redeeming the time means seizing every day, every hour, and every precious minute. We immerse ourselves in the beautiful assignments of good deeds. These tasks are lovingly prepared by God for us. Let us not waste a moment; instead, let us embrace our calling with fervor and dedication!

Moment to Reflect: What is a powerful good deed that you believe God urged you to undertake this past week? Did you seize that opportunity? Now, reflect on what God might be calling you to do in the week ahead for His glory. Identify one impactful good deed that you should commit to in the coming week. When you gather with your group next week, share the inspiring journey of how this endeavor unfolded!

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Cross References:

• 1 Cor 5:10
• Titus 3:3
• 1 Timothy 1:16

Reflective Questions

• Explain the importance of the short phrase, “But God…”
• What was his motivation for saving us?
• What does it mean to be “made alive?”
• How are we seated in the heavenly places with Christ?
• If we are already made alive, have already been sealed with the Holy Spirit, and already possess eternal life, what does it mean “that in the ages to come He might show us” more? What does He have left to show?
• Does “that” in verse 8 refer to the grace of God, faith or both?
• Explain the connection between verses 8-9 and 10 if good deeds cannot save us.

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