4-7 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-7 (NASB)
Most college athletes experience a very different life than the typical college student experiences. Athletes get special benefits including coaches, trainers, doctors, dietitians, tutors, free education … plus a ton of gear.
Christ-followers experience a very different life than the typical person experiences. Christians get forgiveness, access to heaven, guidance and supernatural help. These things are tagged as "blessings" in the Scriptures, expressions of God's grace.
Grace. We can’t buy it, borrow it, earn it, inherit it or deserve it. That is what makes it grace. It is unmerited favor. God says that for the rest of our lives, He will continue to pile the riches of His grace on those who have submitted their lives to Him.
Imagine life without grace. That would mean that each time we rebel against God’s standards as a Christian, we would have to find a way to make it up to God.
Since we sin often, God would always be angry with us. We would view God as a tyrant, not a benevolent Father. We would constantly experience insecurity in life, fearing His abandonment.
There would be little joy in belonging to God.
Why does God want a relationship with us? He wants to demonstrate the riches of His grace toward us. It is difficult to fathom — despite our previous rebellion or indifference toward Him, His desire is to show us the depths of His favor.
What God has done launches us into a radically different life. Check out more of the blessings in Ephesians 1.
