Read: Ephesians 2 (focusing on 4-7)
Watch: https://bibleproject.com/videos/character-of-god-grace/
But God… The Power of Grace and Mercy
The apostle Paul introduces one of the Bible’s most powerful phrases: “But God…”
…is so full of mercy and abundant grace! He demonstrated His profound love for us by raising Christ from the dead. This act means that when you trust Christ, you are not only rescued from death to new life (resurrected with Christ), but you are also seated with Christ at God’s right hand. How is this possible?
Understanding Our Need for Rescue
In Creation, Almighty God established the parameters for an intimate relationship with Him. God is Holy, and to dwell in His presence, one must also be holy.
The dilemma is this: God created beings with the freedom of choice. We were given the privilege of accepting Him (on His terms) or rejecting Him (living on our own terms, becoming “lord of our own lives”). The first humans chose disobedience, and every person since has joined that rebellion. We were left outside of the relationship—dead in our sins.
When God raised His Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead, He showed us both:
- Mercy: He withheld the punishment we justly deserved.
- Grace: He gave us what we absolutely did not deserve—unearned favor and life.
But God… United with Christ
…loved us so much that He gave His Son to be the means by which we are reinstated into the relationship for which we were created.
When we confess Jesus as Lord, we, too, are raised to new life in Christ (resurrected). We are united with Christ, meaning we are spiritually seated with Him at God’s right hand, in the place of ultimate honor.
But wait, there’s more…
But God… On Display
…places us on display as living evidence of His great grace!
You are not only eternally secure In Christ, but you are actually meant to be seen by the world—and the spiritual realm—as the result of God’s astonishing mercy and grace to sinners. Your life testifies to His power.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for loving me so much with your great grace and mercy. Thank you for securing me In Christ, seating me with Him at your right hand, and for allowing me to be evidence of your great love! Amen.
Discussion Questions:
- On Experiencing Grace (The Undeserved Gift): The text defines Grace as “God giving us what we did not deserve.” Can you identify a specific area of your life (relationship, career, health, etc.) where you know you are operating out of a place of undeserved blessing rather than personal merit, and how does recognizing this change your sense of responsibility or gratitude?
- On Identity (“Seated with Christ”): The devotional states that believers are “seated with Christ at God’s right hand, in the place of honor.” If you were to live out your daily life fully believing in this position of spiritual security and honor, how would your current fears, anxieties, or self-doubts about your self-worth instantly diminish or become irrelevant?
- On Being “On Display” (Testimony): Paul suggests we are “placed us on display as evidence of His great grace.” If your life is a public testimony of God’s work, what specific message or evidence of His grace would you hope a complete stranger would observe just by watching your actions, reactions, and priorities this week?
- On the Power of “But God…”: The phrase “But God…” is used to pivot from our state of being “dead in sin” to being “raised to new life.” In your personal story, what is a current or past “dead-end” situation or personal struggle that you hope or believe the reality of “But God…” will eventually turn into a story of redemption?
