And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved—
Gratitude is a word not mentioned often today. Words like want and need replaced gratitude because we live in a more selfish world. If I’m honest, I have to say that I’ve mentioned those words recently and found myself thinking, “that sounded pretty selfish.” I guess the real question is, what do we really need? Is it possible that we have forgotten the power of gratitude? Do we still see value in the small things in life? So where should gratitude begin? Ephesians 2:1-5
Gratitude Because We Deserved Death
Wait! What? We should have gratitude because we deserved death? That’s right. Looking back on our prior condition in life should make us extremely grateful to God for what He did.
Did you deserve death? I know. You’re saying, “Everyone dies. What’s the big deal?” It’s true. Everyone does die. And if we live long enough, everyone will die.
So what does it mean that we deserve death? Here comes the “church” word. It’s sin. Anytime we do things that Scripture says are wrong, it is a sin.
No one likes to hear that today because everyone wants to do what they want. I mean, you can’t tell me what to do. I do what I want to do because I’m my own person. But are you? I want to say that you belong to the one who created you. Not your mother and father, but God.
But Tommy, do you really believe that? Do you really believe that God creates? Absolutely! I have no doubt in my mind. And it is for that reason that I believe because we are (WARNING! Church Word Trigger!) sinners; we deserve a permanent separation from God. But wait! That’s only where the story begins.
Gratitude Because God Changed Us
Ephesians 2:5 says, “even when we were dead in our transgressions, (God) made us alive together with Christ.” That’s the change. That’s the amazing thing God did for us.
Now, this is where gratitude comes into play.
We often forget that God did something amazing and miraculous in our lives because we’re consumed with the worries each day brings us.
Do you have worries? I know I do. And do I sometimes forget the change God made in me? Absolutely. I think this is why the Apostle Paul wrote Ephesians 2:5 as a reminder to us.
When was the last time you told God thanks for the change He made in your life? Just to be honest, I bet it isn’t too often. We live in the change but aren’t grateful for the change. I imagine it’s because you’re so preoccupied with the worries of today.
Gratitude for Because God Showed Us Rich Mercy and Great Love
What you should know about God is that He is full of mercy and love. As much as I want to be the same way, there is no way I could ever possess the same kind of mercy and love God does.
If you look at Ephesians 2:4, you will see that Paul identifies God as being “rich” in mercy and having “great” love. WOW. That might not excite you, but it does me. When I look at the depth of my sin, I am grateful because God demonstrated that rich mercy and great love.
Rich in mercy means abundantly supplied compassion towards offenders. Who were the offenders? You and I were/are the offenders. That is why it is so essential that God abundantly provides that mercy towards us.
Great love means a “remarkable out of the normal” amount of love. It is a love we could not experience or express apart from God.
But, because of God’s abundant compassion and great love, He did something amazing for you and me. He made us alive! Remember earlier? We deserved death. But God’s mercy and love provide life.
He made us alive!
So what do you have to be grateful for today? Here goes…
You deserved death and separation from God.
God changed you and made you alive.
God’s activity in your life is driven by his abundant mercy and great love.
AND…This abundant mercy and great love change everything! Are you grateful today?