I taught a Pastoral Leadership Bible class, and discussed how we can tend to view God’s love and forgiveness based on our “worst sins.” This can lead to a sense of unworthiness, shame, guilt… or better yet, worship-filled gratefulness for His love and grace. We are all in the same boat, in the “worst sinner” category…according to Ephesians 2:1-3… like the rest of mankind.
A God-incidence took place that day back in July 2014. Talking to my daughter Malia, who was 18 years old at the time. She told me she journaled on Eph. 2:3.
Here’s her journal…
Scripture
Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:3
Observation
By nature we are sons and daughters of Adam. We have been born into a fallen state, subject to condemnation of God’s wrath (children of wrath). We are all in the same boat…of sinfulness. So basically we all suck, like super bad – living in the passions of the flesh, carrying out the desires of our body and mind.
But the craziest thing of all is in our life of sin, Jesus was like..”I gotcha covered.” With mercy He showed us His great love, so that in our deadness of sin, He made us alive. He gave us a new life spiritually. It’s through grace we are saved.
Application
I just can’t comprehend sometimes how much God is so merciful with such great love for us. Even when He knows how much we suck in life! I want to cry! “His grace is incomprehensible. Love given through the cross, You gave love to us.” This song seems like this came straight from Ephesians.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for loving me in all my crap. You are amazing! Thanks for Your grace! I love You!
