Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ who leads to Wholistic Healing
Bible portion Ephesians 2:1-8v4,5a But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions..
Devotional Text
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is referred to as the ‘Queen of the Epistles'. It contains key doctrines of Christianity. This text gives us a glimpse of a life with Christ and one without him. It contrasts between following the ways and the powers of this world versus living a life with Christ.
A person who has consumed a few drinks of alcohol gets pulled over and the officer asks to blow into the breathalyzer. The breath will indicate his/her blood alcohol content. Similarly, Paul says that what we take in, shows up in our actions. What consumes our mind will show in our lives. We will exhale what we breathe in. Following the way of the world will manifest in our sinful nature. It is easy to fall into the trap of sin as it usually starts with seemingly irrelevant thoughts or desires. Then one thing leads to the next and before we know it, we're stuck deep in it. In a life without Christ, we are dead in our own sins. It is sad to note that one is able to live that way without Christ and we may be blind to the trenches we are in. Life without Christ is one of self-will.
Verse 5 talks of God who made us alive with Christ. Just as a life without Christ shows in our living, a life with Christ will show in its living as well. Life with Christ begins because of God's love for us. Love which has been there from the beginning and will continue to be there. Are we alive today? We are living; but are we alive? There are people who struggle because they live a dead life. For example, there are dead marriages around us. A life with Christ is not merely surviving but thriving and in difficult times, knowing that God's grace is there to sustain us. God not only makes us alive in Christ but continues to shower his grace on us.
It is interesting to note the references to God and his nature here. We see God's love, mercy, grace and kindness. There is such a stark contrast between our sinful nature and who God is. God's love and mercy extends to all. Who wouldn't like grace? I would like to receive that grace, maybe a double or a triple portion even. However, the challenge often is that we dwell on the gift that God gives without taking into account the faith that also needs to be put in. Do we take God's grace and mercy for granted? We take care of our prized possessions or things that we value for sentimental reasons. What is our attitude to God's grace? The fullness of life we experience is nothing but the grace of God. We are then called to do our part as well.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of unmerited grace. Help us to never take it for granted. Amen
Thought for the Day
Fullness of life comes when life is lived wholly with Christ.
Roshin Abraham, Atlanta MarThoma Church, Georgia.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is referred to as the ‘Queen of the Epistles'. It contains key doctrines of Christianity. This text gives us a glimpse of a life with Christ and one without him. It contrasts between following the ways and the powers of this world versus living a life with Christ.
A person who has consumed a few drinks of alcohol gets pulled over and the officer asks to blow into the breathalyzer. The breath will indicate his/her blood alcohol content. Similarly, Paul says that what we take in, shows up in our actions. What consumes our mind will show in our lives. We will exhale what we breathe in. Following the way of the world will manifest in our sinful nature. It is easy to fall into the trap of sin as it usually starts with seemingly irrelevant thoughts or desires. Then one thing leads to the next and before we know it, we're stuck deep in it. In a life without Christ, we are dead in our own sins. It is sad to note that one is able to live that way without Christ and we may be blind to the trenches we are in. Life without Christ is one of self-will.
Verse 5 talks of God who made us alive with Christ. Just as a life without Christ shows in our living, a life with Christ will show in its living as well. Life with Christ begins because of God's love for us. Love which has been there from the beginning and will continue to be there. Are we alive today? We are living; but are we alive? There are people who struggle because they live a dead life. For example, there are dead marriages around us. A life with Christ is not merely surviving but thriving and in difficult times, knowing that God's grace is there to sustain us. God not only makes us alive in Christ but continues to shower his grace on us.
It is interesting to note the references to God and his nature here. We see God's love, mercy, grace and kindness. There is such a stark contrast between our sinful nature and who God is. God's love and mercy extends to all. Who wouldn't like grace? I would like to receive that grace, maybe a double or a triple portion even. However, the challenge often is that we dwell on the gift that God gives without taking into account the faith that also needs to be put in. Do we take God's grace and mercy for granted? We take care of our prized possessions or things that we value for sentimental reasons. What is our attitude to God's grace? The fullness of life we experience is nothing but the grace of God. We are then called to do our part as well.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of unmerited grace. Help us to never take it for granted. Amen
Thought for the Day
Fullness of life comes when life is lived wholly with Christ.
Roshin Abraham, Atlanta MarThoma Church, Georgia.