But God, Who Is Rich In Mercy; For His Great Love Wherewith He Loved Us Hath Quickened Us Together With Christ - Part 2198

And you [hath He quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Abundant love has He shown to us, having created man in His own image. However, if it wasn't for the "but God" and His mercy and great love, we would be lost forever in our sins. But God made a way where there was no way. He gave us hope when hope was not an option -- in Christ Jesus, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

He hath quickened you and I who were dead in trespasses and sins because of His great love and kindness toward His beloved creation. And, as apostle Paul writes to the saints in Ephesus, He paid the ultimate price, having shed His precious blood on the cross for you and I. (Acts 20:28) It is for this reason that our sights are not on the things of this world, because our Lord God and Saviour has a better plan for those who love Him. 

That is, we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. That in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us -- through Christ Jesus. The greatest love story ever told. 

By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves -- it is the gift of God! Stand in the offering plate.