30 Days - an Overview of the Bible in Just Thirty Daysනියැදිය

Rescued

For most of my life, I have not worn glasses. But a few years ago, I started to get headaches. My wife Pippa suggested it might be my eyesight. So, for the first time in my life, I went to see an optician. The diagnosis was bad. I really did need glasses!

When I went to pick up the glasses and tried them on, I exclaimed, ‘I don’t believe it! I can see everything in 3D!’ I said – I hope not too loudly – ‘I can see everyone’s spots!’ As I got on my bike to go home, I was astonished at the details I could see that I had not seen before (and those headaches stopped)!

Until that moment, I had not realised how bad my eyesight was and what a difference glasses make.

Until I encountered Jesus, I had not realised that I needed a Saviour, I’d not realised what a difference Jesus makes.

Ephesians 2:1–10

Before I was a Christian, I didn’t think I was missing anything. I was perfectly happy. When I encountered Jesus, it was a bit like a light had been switched on. I realised what I was missing and I found what I had unconsciously been searching for all along.

What have we been rescued from? (vv.1–3)

1. We have been rescued from Death (v.1)

Paul writes, ‘… you were dead in your trespasses and sins’ (v.1). Before I was a Christian, I did not recognise the love of God, the identity of Jesus or the power of the Holy Spirit. We were intended to live in a relationship with God, but two things broke that relationship: my trespasses (times when I crossed God’s boundaries and did what I knew to be wrong) and my sins (where I fell short and failed to do what I should have done).

2. Disobedience (vv.2–3)

When I had no relationship with God I acted as everybody else seemed to be acting. I was following ‘the ways of this world’ (v.2). In this context, ‘world’ means society organised without reference to God. The devil (v.2b) controls the lives of those who are disobedient to God, encouraging them to follow the instincts of their sinful nature.

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the Papal household, speaks of our battle being against a triple alliance: the world (‘the enemy around us’), the flesh (‘the enemy within us’), and the devil (‘the enemy [below] us’). It is easy to find oneself enslaved by the world, the flesh and the devil.

3. Doom (v.3)

We were ‘by nature… deserving of wrath’. We have all been found guilty, and guilt requires a sentence. Here ‘wrath’ refers to God’s personal, righteous constant hostility to evil. It is the inevitable reaction of a holy God to sin.

The diagnosis is as bad as it possibly could be. This is the condition of every man and woman without Christ. A dead person can do nothing to make themselves alive.

So, How have we been rescued? (vv.4–9)

• What has God done?

Two of the greatest words in the Bible are: ‘But… God’ (v.4). The rescue came by God’s initiative because he loves you and me so much. It was a result of ‘his great love’ (v.4). You are loved. From the first page of the Bible to the last the message is that ‘God loves you’. The rescue – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus – arose out of God’s mercy. He is ‘rich in mercy’, full of forgiveness and grace.

• Then, What can you do?

Paul makes two negative statements. First, you cannot save yourself (v.8); you cannot contribute to your rescue. Second, it is not ‘by works’ (v.9); you cannot do it by your own efforts and achievements.

Then he makes two positive statements. First, it is ‘by grace’ (v.8); it is God’s free and undeserved mercy to you. We talk about grace as ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense’. Second, it is ‘through faith’ (v.8); it is a gift. You can only say, ‘Thank you’. You do not earn it by your faith. Faith is the way in which you receive the gift.

What are we rescued for? (vv.5–10)

1. Resurrection (v.5)

You are no longer dead but ‘made alive’ (v.5). You are ‘raised up with Christ and seated… in the heavenly realms’ (v.6). Jesus’ own bodily resurrection points the way to your own resurrection to eternal life.

2. A Future hope (v.7)

You are no longer facing judgment but have the most exciting future hope, to enjoy God’s kindness for all eternity – ‘the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus’ (v.7).

3. Purpose (v.10)

God has prepared in advance ‘good works’ for you to do. Paul wholeheartedly rejected the idea of good works as grounds for salvation but he wholeheartedly insisted on doing good as the fruit of salvation; we serve him not because we have to, but because we want to.

For [you] are God’s masterpiece [‘work of art’]. He created [you] anew in Christ Jesus, so that [you] can do the good things he planned for [you] long ago (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). God designed you with a purpose in mind. Many people feel useless, worthless and frustrated. But your life has huge significance. God loves you. You are of infinite value. Jesus died for you.

He has a specific, unique and glorious destiny for you. Understanding your destiny gives a purpose in your pain – it enables you to overcome all the challenges and obstacles we all face in life. It enables you to enjoy life in all its fulness.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the incomparable riches of your grace, and your kindness to me in Jesus. Thank you that you have recused me from death for a life of purpose. I pray for your guidance and help to do the ‘good works’ you prepared in advance for me to do.

References

© Nicky Gumbel, 2024

This reading plan is adapted from the book 30 Days by Nicky Gumbel. It is published by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK, and by HarperCollins Christian Publishing in the USA.