PASSAGE: Made Alive in Christ, One in Christ
MEMORY VERSE: "In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:25
NOTES: (v.1) "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air...All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 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--it is by grace you have been saved."
(v.8) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Being saved by GRACE and not by works is a theme that has been reoccurring throughout the new testament, especially through 2 Corinthians to Galatians. Personally, since I basically grew up in the Christ, it wasn't always evident to me how much of a miracle by God it was that I was saved, and how much I truly do live by grace in comparison to my "old self" (Ephesians 4:22-24). It's important to remind myself that anything and everything I do is through God's power, and that no amount of "good deeds" can earn me a salvation. Even as I continue on the 365 Days of Love Challenge, it's important to understand that doing these acts of love isn't what secures my spot in heaven--its the faith in Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, and that I am God's workmanship--His beloved! :) That being said, I have no reason to boast, because everything is through God's grace and power! wowie!
(v.17) "He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
(v.21) "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord."
ACT OF LOVE: So, since today was the LAST DAY before school started, I, like many other seniors, spent my day fervently finishing up the last bit of summer homework. Luckily, I only had a self portrait to do, but it still took almost the whole day. However, I consequently had little to no human interaction. The one time I did go outside though, I went to buy Subway for lunch. While there, I opened the door for people, smiled at them, and wished them a good day.
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