Today’s Reading:
Ephesians 2:1-10 (8-9)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast”. (vv.8-9)
Grace is the undeserved acceptance and love received from another. Thus, God’s grace toward mankind refers to the undeserved favour of God in providing salvation for those deserving condemnation. For Paul the grace of God is the redeeming activity of God that manifests itself in the redemptive work of Christ by which sinners are forgiven and accepted by God. Thus, the grace of God is necessary because of man’s total inability to do anything to save himself and man’s unworthiness to be saved. It is God’s grace that help us to come to God boldly for help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16. It is grace that strengthens the heart of believer by which he is equipped with everything good to do His will Hebrews 13:5. It is this same grace that enables one to appropriate salvation, for it calls one to salvation, reveals Christ, and even gives the faith which is the condition for salvation Ephesians 2:8-9. Therefore, all believers stands in a grace relationship with God, both men and women 1Peter 5:12. The way to avoid being led by Satan into unfaithfulness is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
While it is a fact that your salvation must produce your good works, however, no action or work, regular church attendance and other rituals will be sufficient to earn you salvation. Salvation is totally a gift of God. We can do nothing to earn it; we can do nothing to make ourselves worthy of it. It is just by grace through faith. Jesus paid the price and His gracious hand is stretched forth to an undeserving sinner who will be ready and willing to fully surrender to His lordship.
VICTOR ODEYEMI
Prayer Points
Father, touch everyone for a supernatural encounter, in Jesus name.
Father, equip us with the spirit to fully depend on you, in Jesus name.
Father, fill us with the grace to always do your will, in Jesus name.
Father, make your Church strong and give her the grace to fulfil the great commission, in Jesus name.
Father, open the eyes of every unbeliever in Nigeria to accept you as the Lord and Saviour of the world, in Jesus name.