But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV
Rich in Mercy
Back in 2017, the federal government says a Canadian who has been on death row in the United States for more than three decades should be granted clemency because he has “reformed his life” and received poor legal counsel when he was convicted. Ronald Smith, 60, originally from Red Deer, AB, has been on death row since 1983 after fatally shooting two young men while he was high on LSD and alcohol near East Glacier, Montana. As of 2023, he remains on death row – mercy has not yet been granted.
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The world searches after riches. The bumper sticker says that he who dies with the most toys, wins. This is all a lie, of course. Our Creator owns everything and need nothing, and in His Kingdom, it isn’t material things that have any importance at all. Ephesians 2:4-5 says this: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” The little phrase in these verses that point to God being rich in mercy is one of the most precious in all of Scripture. The God who owns everything is wealthy in the most important thing we need from Him – His forgiveness and grace. Out of the wealth of His mercy, He pours out blessing upon blessing in our lives, beginning with a new nature, a new heart, forgiveness of sins and life eternal. He makes us alive in Christ and once we come alive, we experience every other blessing that He has for His children.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley