Ephesians 2:8-10

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We become Christians not through anything that we can do through works but through God’s unmerited grace. There are no amount of efforts, works or acts of service that can bring about our salvation. It is through the work on the Cross through Jesus that we are able to turn our lives over to Christ and repent from our sins to become part of God’s people. That does not mean that we are not to do acts of service, works or make an effort towards others, but this should come from the love that Jesus has given us. It gives us the desire to help others. To share the mercy and love God has shown us. On our behalf we should be thankful that Jesus died for our sins, that God sent his only Son to take on all our sins so that we may have a close relationship with God. When we are given a gift do we ask, what do I owe you? Instead, we should be saying thank you. This is what we need to do, give thanks for all that God does for us. What do you need to give thanks for?

Dear God, thank you for all that you do for me. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for me. Please help me to remember that it is not through anything that I can do that can give me salvation. Only you and your sacrifice. Help me to help others, to show them your love and mercy. Thank you again for the gifts that you give me. In your name, Amen.