Amazing Grace

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Facing spiritual inertia?  Lacking zeal in the Lord?  Perhaps it is time to ponder afresh what we may have taken for granted – our salvation.  Dig deep into the Bible to marvel at how we have come to be a dwelling place of God (Eph. 1:3-14).

First, the basis of our salvation is the predestined Plan of God the Father, the Price paid by the Son and the Holy Spirit coming as a Pledge of the change in our lives.  In Eph 1:3-14, the phrase “to the praise of His glory” follows the completeness of the work of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in our changed lives.

Second, the privilege of our salvation lies in a Plan that goes beyond our lifetime.  Salvation is initiated by God sinceeternity past and the purpose is for believers to be holy and blameless before Him for eternity to come (vs. 4).  The Father is delighted to impart spiritual blessings to His children in accordance to His pleasure and His will (vs. 3-4).  God’s election and predestination of sonship to us is by His love and His holiness.  The sacrifice of Jesus Christ reflects God’s unmerited favour to every believer (vs. 7) and enables them to understand His will and divine purpose (vs. 9).

Third, the favour we received is the mystery (unveiled truth) of God’s good pleasure to bring all things in heaven and on earth under Christ’s headship in His perfect timing.  This will be completed when all things spiritual and material will be under Christ and His rule (vs. 10).  When believers heard and received, these were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.  His Presence in our lives reflects the eternal ownership through the restored relationship with our great and awesome God. (vs. 13-14)

Fourth, God continues to display the incomparable riches of His grace (Eph. 2: 8-10) in believers.  This new creation of transformed lives is not achieved by good works but results in good works because of our transformed lives.  As we walk in faith in Him, we will see God performing His work in and through our transformed lives.

The depth of realization of God’s grace and mercy made the burly hardened slave trader John Newton break inside in repentance and confess God’s Amazing Grace that “saved a wretch like me”.

Lacking zeal?  Spiritual lethargy?  Remember, our Father in heaven has “blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).  Nothing is more likely to quicken our hearts and reinvigorate our faith than for us to meditate on the Bible and praise Him for His great work of salvation for each one of us!