This is Grace

A Reflection on the Second Reading for March 14th, 2021:
Fourth Sunday of Lent

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​Ephesians
2.4-10

God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — for it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come God might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. This is not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 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.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

“For by grace you have been saved”

Have you ever gone through a time in your life when you felt like you couldn’t hold your head up? Those years, for me, were from the age of 18 to 23. I was making some bad decisions and the consequences were the burdens of shame and guilt that kept my head low. When I finally gave my life to Jesus, I felt like He had taken His hand and raised my head up to face Him with a new sense of worthiness. I was a new creature. I was given a new life. This is grace.

Matthew Henry, in his commentary about Ephesians 2, says: “The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul.” 

New life in the soul — that’s what Jesus gave me when I turned to Him. A new life where I could walk with my head held high knowing that I was a redeemed daughter of God. Did I deserve this grace? Absolutely not. I had walked away from God and faith. I had turned my back on Him and I had stepped into the world. Yet, He hadn’t turned His back on me. He was still there gazing at me and waiting with more love and peace than I could ever imagine; waiting for me to turn back and look at Him and receive all the grace that He wanted to give me. 

Have you received the grace that God is offering you today? Do you desire to accept His undeserved goodness and favor? If so, pray with me now: Heavenly Father, I know I don’t deserve Your grace yet I also know that You still long to give it to me. I bow my head to You, Jesus, and allow You to pour Your grace over me. Help me to continue to receive this grace so I can walk tall in Your love and goodness every day.

Amen.




​Maxine Brown
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