Grace

Before Jesus stepped into our lives with His grace, we were dead in sin. When we repented of our sins, were baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we were made alive. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:13) 

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;" - Ephesians 2:1  

Before we obeyed God, we were living according to the world’s standards, which is ruled by the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, which is satan. 

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 

"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:" - Ephesians 2:2 

Before we obeyed the gospel and came into the grace of God, we did what we wanted to, whether it pleased God or not. We led a sinful and ungodly lifestyle. By our nature we were deserving of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

"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." - Ephesians 2:3  

But God stepped into our life and called us into His grace. While our lives were still full of sin, God loved us so much that He put on flesh and blood and died for us. (Hebrews 2:14-15, John 15:13) 

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8  

God was born a human being with the name which is above all His names, “Jesus.” God made for Himself a sinless human body. Because He was without sin, Jesus was able to take our place and pay the price for our sins on the cross. Because Jesus is God, He rose from the dead three days later. (Corinthians 15:3-4) 

Because we have become dead to sin, washed by His blood, buried with Him in baptism, and filled with His Spirit, we too are now alive. (Romans 6:1-4) 

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:4-6  

In the ages to come, God can point to His Bride, the church, as the one He has poured His incredible wealth of His grace and mercy upon, as shown by His great sacrifice for us. (Ephesians 5:25-27) 

"That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:7  

It is by God’s mercy that we are saved. We cannot take credit for Christ’s suffering and death and for the blood He shed for our sins. Nor can we take credit for the gift of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. We did not earn His mercy by our works. God did the work. It is when we repent, and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, that we can claim His blood to wash away our sins and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost. Our own good works and righteousness did not purchase our salvation: it is the gift of God. We cannot take any credit. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9  

Because of the grace and mercy of Jesus, we can live our lives unto Him, His Spirit working through us to do His will and His good works. 

 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10