Many of us work to get currency that we then can spend on food, clothing, gas, housing. etc., but most of us cannot afford the Rolex and Ferrari that are associated with the very rich. Paul states in Ephesians that we have riches that vastly outweigh anything that can be had in this life. We who believe have the riches of Christ, and the riches of His grace. Paul states six times in three chapter that we have riches. Each time we learn a little more about what these riches are.
We see that we have the riches of His grace (1:7) shown in Christ (2:7) and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (1:18) that were set forth in Christ. The riches do not stop here. We have the riches of His mercy (2:4) and the riches of His glory (3:16). These riches give us strength with power through His Spirit, ground us in love and help us to comprehend Christ's love as we are filled with the fullness of God. Wow - what riches we have! All these riches were given to us as a free gift in Christ Jesus. Christ did the work and we get the benefit! They are the unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8).
After reading these passages I took some time to just think about how great a gift grace, forgiveness and mercy really are. I know I have these gifts, but I rarely sit and reflect long enough or often enough on these profound gifts. We have them because of God's love and grace, which is shown to us in Christ's death and resurrection. I would ask you to sit and think about the riches you have in Christ, or the riches you could have in Christ, if you do not believe yet.
We all may think that we are "good enough" or "good people" but the truth is without forgiveness we would have God's judgement because God's standard is perfection. In Christ we not only are forgiven for our sins, but we are called holy. We are called the holy ones of God.
The riches of Christ are not to be had by working hard or paying a lot for them. The only way to get them is for free from Jesus Christ who bought them for all of us. Praise God. We are rich in Christ.
Pastor
Marshall
We see that we have the riches of His grace (1:7) shown in Christ (2:7) and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (1:18) that were set forth in Christ. The riches do not stop here. We have the riches of His mercy (2:4) and the riches of His glory (3:16). These riches give us strength with power through His Spirit, ground us in love and help us to comprehend Christ's love as we are filled with the fullness of God. Wow - what riches we have! All these riches were given to us as a free gift in Christ Jesus. Christ did the work and we get the benefit! They are the unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8).
After reading these passages I took some time to just think about how great a gift grace, forgiveness and mercy really are. I know I have these gifts, but I rarely sit and reflect long enough or often enough on these profound gifts. We have them because of God's love and grace, which is shown to us in Christ's death and resurrection. I would ask you to sit and think about the riches you have in Christ, or the riches you could have in Christ, if you do not believe yet.
We all may think that we are "good enough" or "good people" but the truth is without forgiveness we would have God's judgement because God's standard is perfection. In Christ we not only are forgiven for our sins, but we are called holy. We are called the holy ones of God.
The riches of Christ are not to be had by working hard or paying a lot for them. The only way to get them is for free from Jesus Christ who bought them for all of us. Praise God. We are rich in Christ.
Pastor
Marshall
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