If Not for God - Your Daily Forward Devotional

If Not for God

January 13

Read Ephesians 2:4-7

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in 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 coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

Reflect

What did God do for us, and why did He do it?

Yesterday, we remembered our old sinful ways before Christ. We recalled how we were dead in our sins. We were controlled by the world, Satan, and our flesh. If that was the end of the story, it would sure be depressing.

But it’s not the end of the story. Paul starts today’s passage with the most encouraging and hope-filled words I have ever read. “But God.” We were dead, but God made us alive in Jesus Christ. We were doomed, but God saved us. We were condemned to hell, but God raised us up and seated us with Him in heaven!

Why did He do that for us? Because that is who He is. Paul said, He did it because He is rich in mercy. Because He loved us with a “great” love even when we were dead in our sins. He did it to show the generations that His grace is without measure and that He is abundantly kind to us. He did it for His glory but for our own good.

We are sinful and disobedient in nature, but God is not. The Psalmist says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). He is rich in mercy, grace, patience, and faithful love. That is His nature.

Friends, we could not save ourselves. But God could, and He did. If not for God, we would still be dead in our sins. But because of God, we have been made alive! Let’s spend some time praising God for who He is and what He did for us today.

Pray

God, I know I didn’t do anything to deserve Your loving kindness, and yet out of Your abundance of grace, mercy, and love, You offered it to me. Thank You for bringing me back to life in Jesus. You have been so good to me. Amen.