DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 27 January 2025: Salvation By Grace
Text: Ephesians 2:1-9 (KJV)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
KEY VERSE: Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, “Guilty or not guilty?” When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, “That’ll be ten dollars – a dollar for every mile you went over the limit.” Suddenly, the judge recognised the famous minister. “You have violated the law,” he said. “The fine must be paid – but I am going to pay it for you.” He took a ten-dollar bill from his wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! “That,” said Billy Graham, “is how God treats repentant sinners!”
The books of Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians are commonly called the “Prison Epistles of Paul” since he wrote them in Rome while awaiting hearing from Nero, the Caesar at the time. Each of these letters was dispatched through the men who visited him in prison and then at Rome. Paul wrote this epistle to the Ephesian church, which Tychicus despatched to encourage them.
Continuing his discourse from the previous chapter, Paul comes to the subject of the result of our redemption through grace. He first narrates what we were before grace found us – we were dead in trespasses and sins, obedient to Satan, and the children of wrath by nature and choice. He then outlined what God did for us – He loved us; in His mercy, made us alive in Christ, raised us, and seated us in heavenly places. All these, Paul emphasised, were done so that we who once deserved God’s wrath will, throughout eternity, display His grace which saved us without human merit but through the blood of Jesus.
In the same vein, today, no one can be saved by good works or deeds of love or strenuous efforts to keep God’s commandments. Donating to charities, giving alms, engaging in community service, paying tithes and offerings, attending church services and crusades, volunteering to render services in the church, and so on, will not save anyone. One must take bold steps of realisation, repentance, renunciation of sins, and receive Christ as one’s Lord and personal Saviour to be saved.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Salvation is full and free because it was fully paid for by Jesus Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Exodus 37-38
Daily Manna 27 January 2025
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