"The Great Love"

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV)

It is pretty hard to comprehend the depth of God’s love. It is a difficult thing to think of sacrificing oneself for someone else, much less someone who is depraved. We hear of the self-sacrifice of soldiers on the battlefield, police officers, firefighters, all brave men and women doing jobs not many could or would do. Yet, to sacrifice yourself for someone who does not even know you, care about you, or defies everything you encompass well, it took more than any man or woman; it took a God/man, Christ Jesus.

Paul reminds us that while we were dead in our trespasses and sins, for us on this side of the cross, only known to God as a rebellious child yet to come, Jesus died for us. Incredible, simply incredible. It all came about from the overabundance of God’s love and mercy. His desire to be rejoined with His creation, the creation of which He said was “very good.” In His eyes, knowing our failure and fall that would come in the garden, perhaps He knew we could become “perfect” in His eyes, just not on our own.

God chose to redeem His creation. This was not a random decision, but a grand conspiracy between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It was a divine plan that would obliterate evil and Satan for all time. God is omnipotent, Satan is not. He cannot read your mind or know your heart. The only thing Satan knows is that if he can get his hooks in you quick enough and deep enough, he may be able to lead you from Christ.

If you do not know Christ, you must understand that the only way for you to escape Satan, escape hell, is through Christ Jesus. As Paul said, God “made us alive together with Christ.” If you have not accepted Jesus as your savior, you are the walking dead, and I do not mean a zombie. You are dead in your trespasses and sins, and what can a dead person do to save themselves? Nothing. There is a progression that leads to salvation through Christ. It is by God's grace that we can hear and understand the gospel, “the good news” of Jesus Christ. This grace allows us to make a decision, placing our faith that this gospel is true, and asking Christ to save us from ourselves, from our sin. By this grace and faith, we can change our minds, turning in repentance from our sinful nature and turning to Christ Jesus, embracing Him as our Savior.

When we accept Christ, a profound transformation takes place within us. Our hearts, once hardened by disbelief, sin, and rebellion, are removed, replaced by a heart of flesh. Christ dwells within us, and we in Him. We are reborn in the Spirit, navigating this fallen world, gradually growing in sanctification and purification, being made holy until we are ready to stand before God. This transformation is not a mere change, but a miraculous metamorphosis that fills us with hope and encouragement.

Sounds like a really great story, right? But it is no story, it is the truth. Millions of Christians will testify to their life before and after finding Christ; some were simple, some were radical, but all were changed. It is no fairy tale, there is a tangible, touchable history behind Christianity. Thousands are martyred every year because of their faith in Jesus Christ. People are not willing to die for a lie; they were not 2000 years ago, and are not now.

Where are you, alive or dead? There may be no tomorrow for any of us. Seek Christ now, while you still can. Please.

Grace and Peace!