Our Way of Life / Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread -- Our Way of Life June 29, 2016

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 Bible in a Year: Job 14-16; Acts 9:22-43 We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. —Ephesians 2:10 nrsv I was struck by a phrase I heard quoted from a contemporary Bible translation. When I Googled the phrase “our way of life” to locate the passage, many of the results focused on things people felt were threatening their expected way of living. Prominent among the perceived threats were climate change, terrorism, and government policies. What really is our way of life as followers of Jesus? I wondered. Is it what makes us comfortable, secure, and happy, or is it something more? Paul reminded the Christians in Ephesus of the remarkable way God had transformed their lives. “God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5 nrsv). The result is that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (v. 10 nrsv). Doing good works, helping others, giving, loving, and serving in Jesus’s name—these are to be our way of life. They are not optional activities for believers, but the very reason God has given us life in Christ. In a changing world, God has called and empowered us to pursue a life that reaches out to others and honors Him. —David McCasland Father, thank You for the incredible riches of Your love and mercy. You rescued us from our dead way of living and made us alive with Christ. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 INSIGHT: Paul makes an instructive distinction in Ephesians 2:1. He tells his readers that they were dead in their transgressions and sins. By using the past tense he establishes a new normal for those who follow Christ. They are no longer spiritually dead, but are alive in Christ. Paul makes a subtle distinction between transgression, the disobedience of known and established standards, and sin, missing the mark of God’s holiness. He points out that when followers of Christ fall short of God’s perfect and holy standard, whether they know it or not, they are living lives that are no longer natural to the new life given to them. The resurrection of Christ has brought our dead hearts to life.  Dennis Moles