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“You WERE dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you USED to live when you FOLLOWED the ways of the world.” Ephesians 2:1

I was captured by the past tense this morning as I read the second chapter of Ephesians. “You WERE dead; you USED to live; when you FOLLOWED…” The contrast comes a few verses later—“Because of His great mercy and love for us, God, who is rich in mercy MADE us alive with Christ….” Also past tense—I used to be dead to Jesus but because of HIS great mercy and love He made me alive with Christ. This is not something I have to look forward to; this is something I can be experiencing right now as a result of what has ALREADY happened to me! Then it continues—“God RAISED us up (past tense) and SEATED us with Him (past tense) SO THAT He can show in the coming ages the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us.” I can live (present tense) IN His grace and mercy, not hoping what might be, but living in what already is! And He apparently uses what He has already done for me, to bless and encourage those who have not yet understood the beauty of this gospel.

I can’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, and I don’t have to hope to receive it SOME DAY—I was blessed by the assurance of God through Paul that it’s ALREADY mine! “For it is by grace you have been (past tense) saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” (2:8)

Already done, already mine. I can live, not in the hope of forgiveness or cleansing or eternal life, but in the reality that it has ALREADY been given to me because of HIS “great love for us… His grace… His kindness… it’s HIS gift… already given.” I can live today in the assurance of what He has already done, not in what I hope He will do for me some day!!

Have a great day basking in the assurance of what has already been given to you,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “Sometimes God permits what He hates, to accomplish what He loves.” Joni Earikson Tada

PS Christ on Demand- every Tuesday evening at 7:30 in the Rees Hall Chapel join Amber and friends for 30 minutes of devotional sharing. The theme for this year is “Trusting in God.” All are welcome.