0620 TROPHIES OF HIS GRACE

JUNE 20 = EPHESIANS 2

TROPHIES OF HIS GRACE

What follows is the story of grace and truth

And how we found favor with God

It is the tale about me and you

And how we are one in the Lord

And it is Ephesians chapter 2 set to verse 

 

Once upon a time, You and I were dead. 

because of disobedience and of our many sins. 

We used to live in sin, just like all the rest, 

Heeding the commander of the unseen world below.

 

He is the spirit who’s working in the hearts

 of those who choose to not obey the Lord. 

All of us were with them, following our desires 

Following inclinations of our hearts.

 

We by very nature were subjects of God’s wrath, 

just like all the peoples of the earth. 

But God is rich in mercy, He loved us oh so much, 

He raised us up as he raised Jesus Christ.

 

For we were just as dead as the crucified

Living under bondage of our sins

God made us alive when he raised Jesus Christ

(Only by God’s grace have you been saved!) 

 

(He raised us from among the dead 

along with our Messiah Jesus Christ 

Then seated us with him above

Now ride with us in pleasure, united with Christ Jesus.”

 

“So God can point to us in all 

The future ages as examples of 

the endless wealth of all his grace 

as shown in all he’s done for us 

who makes us one with Jesus Christ.”

You and I now stand as trophies of God’s grace. I imagine a thousand years from now, an angel hanging out in the eternal vestibule in the sky, looking intently at all the trophies God had earned and placed in his trophy case. 

He and some nearby angels had been in conversation on the topic for the last century or so, conjecturing as to which they think the Lord will say is his favorite? “Creating light?” “The rainbow after the great flood?” “The Cubs winning the World Series?”

And now the angel finds himself one-on-one with the king of the universe. The angel asks Him, “Of all the trophies you have won, which is your favorite?”

Without hesitation, Almighty God points to one of the smaller trophies. “That one right there.” The angel walks over to see the inscription. It is the name of one of the most notorious sinners in all history!

The Lord explains: “This guy. This trophy and its inscription shows how deep my love is. It stands forever as my favorite trophy of grace.”

The angel steps closer and leans in to see more exactly where the finger of God is pointing. And do you know what he sees? The name inscribed on the trophy is YOUR name! And under it is written: Had been dead in sin. Made alive in Christ.”