SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 2:8-9

 “Is the Bible relevant today?” Stories from hundreds of years ago, weird names, suuuuper long chapters. It doesn’t always feel relevant. But to read Scripture is another way for God to provide comfort, clarity, and wisdom. Scripture meditations like this one can help you figure out how to get started reading the Bible.

 

Work

Written by Izabella Rupp, Grace Christian University

Sleep, school, work, eat, repeat. This is the story for many of us. In this crazy season of life, it’s easy to think we must do it all. And, many of the things we do, we do because we must in order to survive.

As people living in a world so consumed by comparing success in our work, it can be discouraging when we see others doing better than us. At the end of the day, we want people to recognize us and see us as successful. We crave the validation of those around us. If we want anything in life, we must work for it. All we know to do is work.

Yet, Jesus tells us that there’s one thing in this world that we don’t (and frankly, can’t) work for.

Ephesians 2:8-9

“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Observations from the Text

  • You’ve been saved by God through faith (v. 8)
  • This gift of salvation isn’t earned by anything you can do (v. 8)
  • Salvation is the gift of God, and He deserves the praise for it, not us (v. 9)

Prayers of Response

Giver of Life, I praise you that while I must ___________ (what I do for work), I don’t have to work to earn eternal life.

Jesus Messiah, you’re worthy of all praise in my life. Thank you for saving me.

Prayer Requests

Lord of Life, I know  _________ doesn’t know about your gift of eternal life. Show me how I can bring them into your marvelous light.

Creator God, help me to not compare the gifts and accomplishments of others to my own. May I rest in the gifts, abilities, and purpose you’ve given to me.

Prayers of Readiness

Jesus, help me to not try to earn your salvation because I know that I can’t, and you don’t expect me to.

Bestower of Good Gifts, help me to rest in your salvation. May my work at ___________ be glorifying to You.

 

We believe simple Scripture meditations like this help us in our mission to creatively explore how we connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life. For more Scripture meditations, visit this page!  

 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™