God’s Creation: “But God…”
This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am God’s Creation! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 2:4–5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Two words change everything: But God.
Yesterday, we considered the difficult truth of Ephesians 2. Apart from Christ, we were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were not simply people who needed a little improvement. We could not repair our relationship with God by trying harder or becoming better people. Sin had separated us from God, and we could not overcome that separation ourselves.
Then Paul writes, “But God.”
Those words are the turning point.
Imagine a rough piece of wood sitting in a scrap pile. It is cracked, weathered, and seemingly forgotten. It cannot pick itself up. It cannot walk to the workbench. It cannot choose what it will become. But then the craftsman sees it, picks it up, and brings it into his hands. The transformation begins because the craftsman takes the initiative.
That is what God has done for us.
Paul says God is “rich in mercy.” Mercy means that God does not give us the judgment our sins deserve. Instead, because of His great love for us, He acts to save us. He makes us alive together with Christ.
Notice when God did this. Paul says it happened “even when we were dead in our transgressions.” God did not wait until we had cleaned ourselves up. He did not wait until we had become worthy. He acted when we were helpless.
That is grace.
Colossians 2:13 says, “When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” Jesus took our sin upon Himself and carried it to the cross. There He paid the price we could never pay. His resurrection declares that death has been defeated and new life is ours in Him.
This is the heart of the Gospel. Christianity is not a story about people who became good enough for God. It is the story of a God who loved sinners enough to save them.
Perhaps today you are discouraged by something in your life that still feels rough and unfinished. Maybe you are carrying guilt over something you have done. Maybe you wonder whether God could really continue to love you after your failures. Remember these two words: But God.
Your failures do not have the final word. Your past does not have the final word. Your weakness does not have the final word. Jesus does.
God’s mercy is greater than your sin. His grace is greater than your failure. In Christ, you are not abandoned in the scrap pile. You have been taken into the hands of the Master Craftsman.
You are alive because He has made you alive.
Today, rest in that grace. You do not have to prove yourself to God. You do not have to earn His love. In Christ, you already have it.
Reflect: Where in your life do you need to remember, “But God”? How does knowing that God acted when you were still dead in sin change the way you view His grace?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being rich in mercy and great in love. When I was unable to save myself, You acted for me through Jesus. Thank You for making me alive with Christ and forgiving my sins. When I am discouraged or weighed down by guilt, help me remember that Your grace is greater than my failures. Teach me to rest in what Christ has done rather than what I think I must do. Keep me rooted in Your mercy and help me live today in the joy of Your grace. Amen.
God’s Creation: More Than Rough Edges
This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am God’s Creation! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
We like to think of ourselves as works in progress. We have rough edges, but we are getting better. We make mistakes, but we are learning. We have weaknesses, but we are working on them. There is truth in those statements, but Ephesians 2 gives us a much deeper and more serious picture of our condition apart from Christ. Paul does not say that we were simply unfinished. He says we were dead in our trespasses and sins.
That changes the way we understand ourselves.
Imagine finding a rough piece of wood lying in a scrap pile. It has cracks, knots, bark, and uneven edges. You might look at it and think it needs some work. But suppose it is not merely rough. Suppose it is rotten all the way through. No amount of sanding, staining, or polishing will make it useful. It needs the work of someone who knows what to do with it.
Sin is more than a few rough edges in our lives. Sin has affected every part of us. It shows itself in our words, thoughts, attitudes, desires, and actions. Galatians 5:19-21 speaks honestly about the works of the sinful nature. Jealousy, selfish ambition, anger, envy, division, impurity, and other sins reveal what lives within us.
We may be tempted to compare ourselves with others and conclude that we are doing pretty well. We may point to the good things we do and use them to reassure ourselves that God must be pleased with us. But God’s Word does not invite us to compare ourselves with others. It invites us to see ourselves honestly in the mirror of His law.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
That truth can be uncomfortable, but it is also necessary. We cannot understand the greatness of God’s grace until we understand the seriousness of our sin. If our problem were only a few rough edges, we could fix ourselves. We could try harder, become more disciplined, and make better choices. But if we are spiritually dead, we need something we cannot provide for ourselves. We need life.
This is why the Christian faith is not ultimately about becoming a better version of yourself. It is about what God has done for you in Jesus. The law shows us our sin and leaves us with nowhere to boast. Then the Gospel points us to Christ, who does for us what we could never do for ourselves.
So today, do not minimize your sin, but do not despair over it either. Confess it honestly. Bring your failures, selfishness, anger, pride, and weakness before God. You do not need to pretend that the rough edges are not there. You can trust the Master Craftsman to do what you cannot do.
The good news is that this is not the end of the story. Tomorrow we will hear two words that change everything: But God.
Reflect: Where am I tempted to minimize or excuse my sin? How does recognizing the seriousness of sin help me appreciate God’s grace?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see my sin honestly and to stop trusting in my own goodness. I confess that I cannot make myself right with You. Thank You for showing me my need for a Savior. Lead me to trust in Jesus, who has done for me what I could never do for myself. Prepare my heart to receive Your grace with humility and joy. Amen.
Have confidence! Your King Reigns!
This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am confident! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 1:20–23 That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Paul ends his prayer by lifting our eyes to Jesus. God raised Christ from the dead, seated Him at His right hand, and placed Him “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.” Then Paul gives us one of the most comforting truths in the passage: God appointed Christ to be “head over everything for the church.”
Jesus reigns.
That sounds simple, but it is easy to forget when life feels out of control. We look at the news, our circumstances, our families, our health, or our future, and it can seem like everything is uncertain. Fear grows when we believe that no one is in control.
Paul reminds us to look up.
The throne is occupied.
Jesus is not struggling to gain control. He has already conquered sin and death. He is not waiting to become King. He is reigning now.
And He reigns for the Church.
Think about a child sitting in the back seat of a car during a long road trip. The child may not know where they are going. They may not understand why Dad took a particular exit or why Mom decided to stop for gas. From the back seat, the journey can seem confusing. But the child doesn’t need to understand every turn. They simply need to trust the people who are driving.
We often want God to explain every turn in our lives. Why did this happen? Why hasn’t that prayer been answered? What will happen next?
God doesn’t always give us the answers we want. But He gives us something better. He gives us Himself.
Jesus is reigning, and He is reigning for His Church.
Romans 8:31 asks, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” That doesn’t mean Christians will never face trouble. It means trouble will never have the final word.
Your King is greater than your circumstances.
Your Savior is greater than your fears.
Your Shepherd is greater than your enemies.
Your future is greater than your present struggle.
So when you feel overwhelmed today, look up. Don’t pretend the problems aren’t real. Instead, remember that they are not greater than your Savior.
You may not know what tomorrow holds.
You may not understand what God is doing.
But you know who reigns.
And He reigns for you.
That is confidence.
Reflect: What situation in your life is hardest to trust to Christ’s control? How does knowing that Jesus reigns “for the church” change the way you face that situation?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, when life feels uncertain, lift my eyes to You. Remind me that You have conquered sin and death and that You reign over all things for Your Church. Forgive me when I try to control what belongs in Your hands. Give me confidence to trust You even when I do not understand. Help me live today knowing that my King reigns and that I am safe in His care. Amen.
Resurrection Power for Ordinary Days
This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am confident! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 1:18–20 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
Paul wants the Ephesians to know “his incomparably great power for us who believe.” He then points them to the greatest demonstration of that power in all of history. God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.
That is resurrection power.
Sometimes we think of God’s power as something dramatic. We imagine miracles, mighty acts, or moments when God changes everything in an instant. But Paul wants us to understand that the power of the resurrection is also at work in ordinary Christian lives.
The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you.
That does not mean every problem will disappear. It does not mean every prayer will be answered in the way we want. It means that sin, failure, weakness, and even death do not have the final word for those who belong to Christ.
Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Think about a seed planted in the ground. For a while, nothing seems to be happening. The seed is buried beneath the soil, and from the surface it looks lifeless. But underneath the surface, something is happening. Life is beginning to grow.
God’s work in us can sometimes feel that way.
We may not see dramatic changes. We may still struggle with the same temptations. We may still wrestle with impatience, fear, anger, selfishness, or discouragement. We may look at ourselves and wonder, “Am I really changing?”
But God’s Word tells us to look somewhere other than our feelings.
Look to Christ.
In Baptism, God united us with Christ’s death and resurrection. The old sinful self was crucified with Him, and we have been raised to live a new life. The Christian life is not about becoming strong enough to save ourselves. It is about living each day in the strength of the Savior who has already conquered sin and death for us.
Philippians 1:6 gives us another promise: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
That means your weaknesses do not surprise God.
Your struggles do not make Him give up on you.
Your failures do not undo His promises.
The God who began His work in you will continue His work.
Perhaps today you are discouraged because you keep falling into the same sin. Perhaps you feel like you should be further along in your faith. Perhaps you have tried to change something in your life and have become frustrated by how slowly progress seems to come.
Don’t give up.
You may feel weak today, but you are not without power.
Christ is alive.
His Spirit is at work.
Your old life no longer has the final word.
And the Savior who conquered death is not finished with you yet.
So take the next faithful step today. Confess your sin. Receive God’s forgiveness. Open His Word. Pray. Serve someone. Resist temptation. Encourage another believer.
You don’t do these things to earn God’s love.
You do them because in Christ, you already have it.
The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power of the Savior who is at work in you.
Reflect: Where do you most need God’s resurrection power in your life today? What is one faithful step you can take today because you are alive in Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering sin and death through Your resurrection. When I feel weak, discouraged, or trapped by my past, remind me that I am united with You and that You have given me new life. Through Your Word, strengthen my faith and give me the power to resist sin, trust Your promises, and follow You faithfully. Help me remember that You are not finished with me. Continue the good work You have begun in me until the day You bring me home. Amen.
Richer Than I Realize
This week’s devotions are based on “Rooted: Finding My Identity in Christ: I am confident! (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 1:18 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know …, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,…
Paul prays that the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts would be enlightened so they could know “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Paul wants them to understand something they already possess. They are rich in Christ.
That may sound strange to us. We tend to measure riches by what we can see and hold. We look at our bank accounts, our homes, our possessions, our accomplishments, or the opportunities we have been given. We compare ourselves with others and sometimes conclude that we have too little. Even when we have plenty, we can still feel poor because there is always someone who seems to have more.
Paul points us to a different kind of wealth.
In Christ, you have an inheritance that cannot be measured by a bank account. You have forgiveness. You have peace with God. You have been adopted as His child. You have the promise of eternal life. You have the presence of the Holy Spirit. You have the assurance that nothing can separate you from God’s love.
Peter describes this inheritance as “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
Think about a child who has been adopted into a loving family. The child may not understand everything about the family yet. They may not know what the future holds or what the family owns. But one thing is already true. They belong.
They don’t have to earn their place at the table.
They don’t have to perform well enough to become a son or daughter.
They are already part of the family because they have been received and loved.
That is the security we have in Christ.
The world tells us that our worth comes from what we accomplish. We can begin to believe that if we work harder, earn more, look better, or receive more recognition, we will finally feel valuable. But those things can never give us the security God gives us through Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 says that God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Notice the tense. God has blessed us. These blessings are not merely something we hope to receive someday. They are already ours because of what Christ has done.
That changes how we see ourselves today.
You may feel like you don’t have much to offer. You may be disappointed in yourself. You may look at someone else’s life and wish yours looked more like theirs. You may wonder whether you are important to God.
Open your eyes.
You belong to Christ.
You are forgiven.
You are God’s child.
You have an inheritance that cannot perish.
You are richer than you realize.
The confidence Paul wants for us doesn’t come from believing that we are impressive. It comes from knowing that we belong to an impressive Savior. Our security isn’t found in what we can hold onto. It is found in the One who holds us.
So when the world tells you that you aren’t enough, remember what God has already given you. When comparison makes you feel poor, remember your inheritance. When failure makes you question your worth, remember whose child you are.
You don’t have to spend today trying to prove that you matter.
In Christ, you already do.
Reflect: What do you tend to use to measure your worth and value? What spiritual blessing in Christ do you need to remember today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child through Jesus. Forgive me for measuring my worth by what I have, what I accomplish, or how I compare with others. Open the eyes of my heart to see the riches You have already given me in Christ. Help me remember that I am forgiven, loved, adopted, and secure in Your promises. Teach me to live today with gratitude for the inheritance You have given me through Your Son. Amen.