(Something I wrote for a devotional project my friend is doing…)
Ephesians 2:1-10
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” (NLT, vv.4-5)
One of my favorite phrases in the bible is: “But God…”. There is so much hope in those words. It usually is in the wake of some really bad news. It is saying: here is the situation or here are the terrible circumstances we’re in BUT. There is One who can intervene. This is the truth when it comes to our identity. Ephesians 2 begins with the bad news of our human condition. We were dead. We obeyed the devil, following passions and desires and were subject to God’s wrath. However, Paul transitions to the good news: “But God” (v.4). But God is rich in mercy and loves us so much and He gave us life. It isn’t just a transition on paper—this is our testimony, the story of our life. But God. This is the story of the gospel in two words. Without these words, we would truly be hopeless. We were a lost cause. But God. We were dead. But God. We were enemies. But God. These two words bring us hope. They are the reason for our existence and identity. The only reason we get to be who we are is because of the loving and merciful intervention of God. He brings us to life. He makes us united with Christ. He restores us as His masterpiece. So, every time you doubt your identity, think of two words—But God. There is hope for you. This is who you are.
WanderFull Life 