Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
American ingenuity and freedom have become interesting bedfellows. We are both creators while enjoying the benefits of self-expressions. Our constitutional platform is unlike anything in the world. W. Cleon Skousen wrote how Americans have leaped over thousands of years of struggle to come to this moment. However, with all of our self-will and open-door opinions, there seems to be a deficit in our thinking. Societal benefits have caused spiritual hindrances to the Church. In short, we are saved by Grace; not by ingenuity or intelligence.
Paul wrote that our salvation came by way of God’s love. He loved us when we did not know Him. He loved us when we were unlovable and had nothing to offer. No one came by way of their own knowledge or goodness. The Bible says that none are good and all have sinned. We did not come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ by our own initiative. It was not our ambition that brought us into this great salvation. We came by way of His Love.
The modern day believer doesn’t always recognize this fact. They think that they have earned their way into the church. They think that their opinions, responses, and feelings should account for something of significance. Some even think that spiritual lineage has allowed them access into the Body of Jesus Christ.
Paul said that we were all “dead in sins.” Paul submitted that our salvation came via a love that we cannot fully grasp. Paul writes about our limited comprehension of the Cross and our human sight. We look through a cloudy mix of understanding. Our eyes and spirit cannot fathom the depth of God’s love for us. The Cross itself was a perfect love. God robed Himself in flesh to die as a sacrifice for our sins. It was the pivot point of the whole world.
So tell me why we deserve to feel the Love of God. Somebody tell me what we have done to garnish the grace of this Holy God. I’m curious why we enter His house and wait for someone to prod us to praise a Savior Who gave Himself for our sins? Is it the music that provokes us to worship? Are we waiting for our favorite song or the right rhythm to rejoice?
I would rather just say, “I’m here to worship Him because of what He has done for me before I ever knew Him.” While we were dead, He died. He died so we can live. So… “Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you are God.”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole