October 15, 2017 - The Five Solas - Part 3

The Five Solas
Part Three: Sola Gratis
Ephesians 2:1-10

The day of grace

As a teenager, I decided to race my mom’s car over a winding, hilly, country road. It was 1am, and my enthusiasm to impress a girl surpassed my driving skill. The car ended up in a smoldering heap.

No one was injured in the accident, but the car was totaled. I anxiously called my dad, a military officer who retired after 30 years of honorable service to our country. He drove to the crash site on that cold and misty morning. I expected an angry (well deserved) rant about totaling the car, but instead I received a warm blanket, an arm around my shoulder, and concern for my well-being; “Are you alright son? Good, I’m glad. You’ve learned your lesson so we will never speak of this again.” I received grace when I deserved severe punishment. This event changed my life and deepened my love and gratitude for my Dad.

Apart from Christ, our lives become one big, smoldering car wreck. We are declared to be “totaled” - beyond repair. Our passage says:

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. Eph. 2:1, 2

But God doesn’t leave us dead, lying in the rubble of our lives. Two of the most important words in the New Testament were written regarding our helpless condition; “But God.” He is “so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” This undeserved favor is because of His nature, not our efforts. Our God is filled with mercy and love toward humanity. This undeserved favor is called “grace.”

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate the undeserved love and favor of God!

Blessings,
Pastor Steve