“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4–7
Ephesians 2 opens with a vivid picture of our condition before salvation. Paul writes, “You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (Eph. 2:1–3).
Even though we were in a hopeless and helpless condition before a holy and righteous God, He provided salvation through the finished work of His beloved Son. No matter how sinful we were or what we had done—there is a “But God!”
In this passage, four words describe the God who makes the difference:
1. He is rich in mercy.
The mercy of God can be described as His withholding from us what we rightfully deserve. It is also the display of His lovingkindness toward us. When Paul adds the word rich—meaning “abounding in wealth”—we get a sense of the immeasurable abundance of His mercy.
2. His great love.
The word great here means “abundant” or “immeasurable.” His love is overflowing toward us—beyond measure, beyond limit.
3. His kindness toward us.
This word carries the thought of goodness, excellence, and uprightness. God’s kindness is His goodness in action—His gentle and gracious attitude toward those who deserve judgment.
4. His amazing grace.
Grace has often been described as “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” It speaks of His unmerited, undeserved favor toward us—His free gift of salvation made possible through Christ.
All these blessings—His mercy, love, kindness, and grace—are found in Christ and can be enjoyed by everyone who has placed their faith and trust in His finished work on the Cross.
Even though we stepped over the line (trespassed) and missed the mark (sinned), but God!
Anchor For Today
Take a moment today to give thanks for the “But God” and for all that flows from it!