You Have Been Saved

You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air; the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But 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 – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he 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 – 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.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Our journey from here to heaven is paid for in full by the sacrifice of Jesus. Although that gift is free, that does not mean we have no responsibilities. We were created for good works, and that is how we can say Thank You. God has tasks planned for us to do while we are on this earth – not to pay our debt but to honor our Savior. Life from here to heaven is not a vacation cruise – it is a wonderful privilege and calling to serve God.

We are not saved by good works but for good works.

Our Daily Bread – May 30, 2008