Grace Is GreaterSample

We were, by nature, deserving of wrath. But God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him.

For we are God’s handiwork and God prepared, in advance, for us to do good works.

Paul was writing to a community, not an individual person. Today we’ll look at the relational dynamics of Paul’s words, especially that “we are God’s handiwork.”

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. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We are God’s work. God’s grace is personal and intimate, but it is not individualistic and limited. Grace holds us together and strengthens us to become one.

Consider this: We are made in the image of a relational God. God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — has eternally existed in relationship within his being. To be made in the image of God, then, means we are created for relationship.

We are relational beings. We are hardwired to connect with others in relationships that mirror God’s nature. But if we were all created for life-giving, God-like relationships, why is community so difficult? We are also weak and broken. Our weakness keeps us in isolation; we find ourselves lonely and disconnected.

Is God’s grace great enough for our relationships?

Paul writes: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)

Rather than focusing on your own faith community’s shortcomings, how might you play your part in this type of church? How can you pursue oneness — one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father — in the church with your brothers and sisters?

You simply cannot have a community like this without forgiveness and reconciliation.

As Paul writes to conclude his chapter on relationships in the church (Ephesians 4:32): Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

We are relational beings, so Paul writes to our communities’ weakness: Be humble; bear with one another; forgive one another. After all, you have been forgiven of much!

If you enjoyed this reading plan, make sure to check out our free 7-Day Grace is Greater Devotional.