“But God, being rich in mercy…made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places…so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:4-7
Scripture reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Most things in our world can be measured: the depth of the sea, the highest mountain peaks, the distance to the planets even in their elliptical orbits. But one thing that no one can measure is the depth and the richness of God’s grace given us in Christ Jesus.
When God gives a gift, it is a present reality with an eternal guarantee. Did you notice in verse 6 how the Scripture describes the present reality of our relationship with Christ? It is not just in the future that we will be raised up with Christ in the heavenly realms. If by grace you have true saving faith in Jesus Christ today, you are already raised with Him! It is a present reality that will be discovered in its magnitude throughout all eternity.
Remarkably, God’s kindness was given to us in Christ while we were “dead in our transgressions and sins” (1), reinforcing the truth that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” (8).
There are so many blessings from God that we are to be grateful for, but no blessing surpasses the incomparable riches of God’s grace expressed through Christ Jesus. May that present reality of being raised with Christ and being seated with Him in the heavenly realms instill profound gratitude in your heart and mine today – as it will throughout all eternity!
Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for blessings often taken for granted: food, water, shelter. But above all thank Him for the gift of salvation, a present reality that will grow in magnitude throughout eternity as God demonstrates “the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (7).
Pastor Ted Gray is a retired minister in the United Reformed Church of North America. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
