Word@Work Eph16 - Ephesians 2:4-5
Published: Fri, 10/17/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE BIG BAILOUT
Read Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. (NIV)
Insolvency is a terrible thing. Everything you have worked for, for a lifetime, has no value whatsoever. More than that, there is the shame of a sadly deflated image ... everybody knows that you are not what you made out to be. And then the practical rearrangements by bailiffs, and that might stretch as far as homelessness. Every year thousands face bankruptcy and try to struggle through with a brave face.
Before we knew Jesus, our spiritual debts were overwhelming, and there was no hope. Desperate circumstances demand desperate measures, but there was nothing we could do for ourselves. And then we heard that God loved us, and that Jesus personally wrote off all of our moral debts to God, by being punished for us on the cross (and that was even before we wanted to be saved). Amazing! God then not only forgave us all of our sins as we confessed and repented from them; He also gave us a brand new life ... like the life He gave to Jesus. That is the meaning of grace: we deserved no help and should have lost everything, but Jesus paid for our bailout.
In the hard world of the workplace, we rarely think of anybody wanting to be generous to us when we have messed up. But that is what God did, and in a big way. Like the bankrupt rescued at that last minute, we should be overflowing with thanks. Just try saying, out loud (or quietly if you are in an open office, hot-desking or on the train!) - "Thank You Jesus for saving me, thank You Lord for loving me"! His grace is big so why is our thanksgiving so small? And if anyone does overhear ... you can explain why you are so glad!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Your love is amazing, I do not deserve it and cannot repay you. But help me never to forget Your grace and always to thank You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Insolvency is a terrible thing. Everything you have worked for, for a lifetime, has no value whatsoever. More than that, there is the shame of a sadly deflated image ... everybody knows that you are not what you made out to be. And then the practical rearrangements by bailiffs, and that might stretch as far as homelessness. Every year thousands face bankruptcy and try to struggle through with a brave face.
Before we knew Jesus, our spiritual debts were overwhelming, and there was no hope. Desperate circumstances demand desperate measures, but there was nothing we could do for ourselves. And then we heard that God loved us, and that Jesus personally wrote off all of our moral debts to God, by being punished for us on the cross (and that was even before we wanted to be saved). Amazing! God then not only forgave us all of our sins as we confessed and repented from them; He also gave us a brand new life ... like the life He gave to Jesus. That is the meaning of grace: we deserved no help and should have lost everything, but Jesus paid for our bailout.
In the hard world of the workplace, we rarely think of anybody wanting to be generous to us when we have messed up. But that is what God did, and in a big way. Like the bankrupt rescued at that last minute, we should be overflowing with thanks. Just try saying, out loud (or quietly if you are in an open office, hot-desking or on the train!) - "Thank You Jesus for saving me, thank You Lord for loving me"! His grace is big so why is our thanksgiving so small? And if anyone does overhear ... you can explain why you are so glad!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Your love is amazing, I do not deserve it and cannot repay you. But help me never to forget Your grace and always to thank You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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