Matt Fleming
Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai. 

Ephesians 2, verses 8 through 10. 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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Welcome to the Bridgeway Christian Church Daily Advent Devotional for Thursday, December 12th. My name is Matt Fleming, and I’m a volunteer on the welcome team here at Bridgeway. Today I’m going to talk about peace in God’s grace.

I came to Jesus broken, and he saved me. That thought often brings me to tears. I can remember feeling so alone, so desperate and frustrated with myself.

Why would I keep doing the same things over and over again? Things that hurt me, that hurt others. And yet no matter how bad I felt, no matter how convinced I was that this time would be different, it was never different. I always ended up in that same lonely, hurtful place.

A friend from work told me about Jesus. Not that I had never heard of him before, but my friend told me about salvation and tied how I was feeling, that inner poverty, to the need for a Savior. Up to that point, I didn’t know I needed a Savior, and therefore I could not be saved.

Saved from what exactly? From me, from sin, from the world. But once I hit my knees and allowed Jesus into my heart, if ever so slightly, I began to develop a relationship with him. And yeah, sometimes that makes me cry.

I have a personal relationship with my Creator. How cool is that? This miraculous gift is entirely unearned. Besides accepting him into my heart, I have done nothing to deserve it.

In fact, everything I’ve done suggests I don’t deserve it at all. Going back to those conversations with my coworker, I remember being hung up on the idea that God was up in the clouds somewhere, entirely inaccessible. I thought the Ten Commandments were simply a path to get to him.

Not that I had ever tried living by the Ten Commandments. I mean, I didn’t even know what all of them were. I knew I hadn’t killed anyone.

But that was about as far as it went. My coworker pointed me toward today’s scripture and told me that I couldn’t earn my way into God’s grace. It was a gift.

If you’re a doubter like I was, you’re probably wondering what’s next. If I’m already saved and already given God’s grace, then why are there Ten Commandments? Why would I ever wonder what Jesus would do? Saved is past tense. Why do I have to do anything beyond that? Scripture says we are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good works.

In other words, with this grace comes purpose and responsibility. Without this grace, I personally would not be capable of a successful marriage, nor could I be a kind, loving father. I couldn’t be an ethical employee.

I could not be a good friend or family member. I could not care for people who are struggling, at least not without looking for something in it for me. God gave me a purpose.

It’s my job to fulfill it and to do the best of my ability. Of course, my ability is not always great. I’m still very broken.

I’m still selfish at times. I’m still a sinner whenever I am focused on me and not Him. Sin blocks me from God, and it is unbearable.

Grace and divine purpose are gifts. I can’t pat myself on the back because of them. I can’t take credit for the blessings in my life.

I can’t look down on others who are struggling because I did nothing to deserve any of this. Grace is the foundation upon which I can live, and it’s all because Jesus loves me, which means He loves you too. When I think about that, when I let Jesus into my heart, when I serve my God and fulfill my divine purpose, I feel peace.

This peace allows me to be a member of society. It transcends elections and political differences, petty competitions, neighborhood disputes, familial grievances, deep hurts, and everything else that separates me from others. I see us all as children of God, and it’s beautiful.

If that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, I beg you to pray until it does. Dear God, I’m a flawed, broken individual, but You love me all the same. I am so grateful for Your Word and for Your children, both of whom remind me of Your love and omnipotence.

Forgive me for ever taking credit for anything wonderful in my life. To You all praise is due. Lord, I’m here to serve You.

You are the source of my strength and peace. Please keep my eyes open for all opportunities to help others and alleviate their suffering by whatever means You deem best. This world can be so confusing, lonely, and scary, and I never want to forget that through You all things are possible.

Lord, there are people suffering right now. I pray that they find peace, that they summon the courage to reach out to You and ask for help, and that they let one of Your servants here on earth know what’s happening as well. Thank You.

Amen.

Transcribed by TurboScribe.ai.