Today is Halloween.  A day where people put on costumes and transform into something new.  It is also Reformation Day.  A day when we celebrate Martin Luther nailing 95 theses to the Wittenberg door and starting the Protestant Reformation.  It led to a return of the understanding and significance of God’s amazing grace.  Let’s look at Ephesians 2 where there is a bit of a combination of these two ideas. 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul reminds us that while we were dead in our sins and living by the flesh, we now put on the spirit and are made alive in Christ.  This is possible not because of our own doing but simply because of the amazing grace of God in our lives which we receive through faith.  We are called to live by the spirit not to earn favor with God but simply out of gratitude for what He has already done and continues to do in our lives.  So today whether you put on a costume or watch the Luther movie (it’s really good) reflect on God’s grace in your life.  Thank Him for that great gift and live your life for Him in response.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave