Wednesday, September 3, 2008

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Ephesians 2:1-10

PSALM OF THE WEEK: Psalm 53

HYMN OF THE DAY: CH# 340 “Softly and Tenderly” http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/o/softlyat.htm or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dresvqIg9nA&feature=related

VERSE OF THE DAY: For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand to be our way of life.  Ephesians 2:10 NRSV

 

In verses 8 and 9, Paul says that we are saved by grace, not works, so that none of us can boast about how “good” we are.  Then in verse 10, above, he states that we are created in Christ to do “good works”.  Note that Paul sees a distinct difference between people trying to “earn their way” into heaven by being “good enough” and the “works” we do after receiving the free gift of Eternal Life.  The first way leads to boasting and conceit.  The latter is in humility and love.  He calls the work we do for God in response to our salvation “our way of life.”  When we accept Christ, we live for Christ.  Everything we do, “our way of life”, becomes our testimony of how we really feel about our Savior.  Therefore, we do not need a bunch of rules and regulations:  just a life that expresses our love for God in how we live.  The litmus test for all things we do is not “does this just barely fall within the narrow confines of the law” but “does this bring glory to God?”  That is our way of Life Eternal, now and forever.

 

PRAYER: O God of Life; I thank you for the great gift of Eternal Life you have given to me.  May I live it out everyday in everything I do so that my way of life gives you honor and glory and praise that others may see you in me.  Amen.

 

See you in Church Sunday,

Pastor Sandy

 

This email is sent only to the members of the Mid-Ohio Valley Parish Disciples of Christ and others who have requested it for the personal spiritual growth and edification of the recipient who may use it in way that will build up the church and glorify God, including forwarding it to others.  To request that your name be added or removed from this list, contact pastor@movpdoc.org.