Youth · Day 3 of 7
Saved by Grace
Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 (KJV)
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein 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 worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among 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. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Paul starts with bad news before good news. Without Christ, we were 'dead in trespasses and sins,' following the way of the world and our own desires. That is a hard truth, but an honest one. Spiritually, we could not fix ourselves. Then come two of the best words in the Bible: 'But God.' God, who is rich in mercy, loved us so much that He made us alive together with Christ. Verse 8 explains how. 'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.' This matters for your identity. A lot of teens live on a performance treadmill. Be good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, Christian enough. Grace gets you off that treadmill. You cannot earn God's love, and you do not lose it by having a bad week. It is a gift received by trusting Jesus. Then verse 10 says you are His 'workmanship,' something He carefully crafted, like a work of art. You were created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared ahead of time. You are not saved by good works, but you are saved for them. Your life has purpose, and God already has good things lined up for you to do.
Key verse
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
Journal it
- Do you ever feel like you have to earn God's love? Where does that pressure come from?
- What does it mean to you that you are God's workmanship?
- What is one good work God might be preparing for you to do this week?
Write your answers in a notebook or the notes app on your phone.