Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
We really were doomed from the beginning. We were born imperfect. From the moment we were born, we had no chance of being free of sin. But we were also born with purpose. We are “made for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” So we were created with the reality that we will sin, but with the possibility that we will do good. This would most certainly qualify for the “upside down kingdom” that this lenten season is about.
During Lent, we are very intentional about focusing on our sins. We spend time repenting, we give up vices, we contemplate our imperfections and how that all relates to Jesus dying for our sins. The challenge that I am faced with in that is that I frequently dwell on my imperfections. It is very easy for me to get caught up in what I’ve done wrong or on how I have mistreated others or myself. In doing so, I often forget the big picture of what my life is truly about.
It is important to recognize our faults and to work to become better, but that doesn’t mean we should dwell on all of our sins. We need to learn and grow from our mistakes and take what we have learned to better the world. That is how we are meant to spend our time and energy. God has already forgiven us. God has always forgiven us. From the moment we were born, we were forgiven because that is the gift of God’s grace.
Lent is our spring cleaning. It is the time to see what bad behaviors we’ve accumulated and take the time to do away with those sins. It’s the time for grace. It’s the time to forgive and move on. It’s the time to learn and grow. It’s the time to refocus.
We have good works to do. So let’s get to it.
Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NRSV)
You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.