Today’s TG comes from Remnanttexan…
Salvation
Recently I listened to the sermon below which provides an amazing breakdown of Ephesians 2:1-10 and the meaning of salvation through Christ.
I remember first studying this passage 12 years ago, when I was grieving my first divorce, and back then I really took to heart the difference between doing works for self-glorification and doing works the glory of God.
Listening to this message again and thinking back over the last 12 years, I can see that I have lived my life somewhere in between. I cared for my dying mother out of a sense of duty for all she had done for me and sought no reward other than knowing her life was comfortable and fulfilled in her last few years. As for my brother, I also cared for him out of a sense of duty and to honor my parents. I know I could've done more for him, but his decline was so rapid I think I was caught off guard and didn't see the end was so near.
As for my own family, again, I cared for my family out of a sense of duty, and they became my purpose. Later in Ephesians, Paul instructs "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". I put my best effort into this but can honestly say that at times I was trying to honor God's word, and at other times, I was selfishly seeking the love and approval from my wife in return.
So now I wrestle with how to get this right in the future. I think it starts with praying to God for his mercy and forgiveness and then seeking forgiveness from the one's I've hurt. I am a bit shaken by all of this, but will continue to press forward into becoming a better man.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 5:25
Thanks for sharing Remnanttexan!
TSK
Salvation
Recently I listened to the sermon below which provides an amazing breakdown of Ephesians 2:1-10 and the meaning of salvation through Christ.
I remember first studying this passage 12 years ago, when I was grieving my first divorce, and back then I really took to heart the difference between doing works for self-glorification and doing works the glory of God.
Listening to this message again and thinking back over the last 12 years, I can see that I have lived my life somewhere in between. I cared for my dying mother out of a sense of duty for all she had done for me and sought no reward other than knowing her life was comfortable and fulfilled in her last few years. As for my brother, I also cared for him out of a sense of duty and to honor my parents. I know I could've done more for him, but his decline was so rapid I think I was caught off guard and didn't see the end was so near.
As for my own family, again, I cared for my family out of a sense of duty, and they became my purpose. Later in Ephesians, Paul instructs "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her". I put my best effort into this but can honestly say that at times I was trying to honor God's word, and at other times, I was selfishly seeking the love and approval from my wife in return.
So now I wrestle with how to get this right in the future. I think it starts with praying to God for his mercy and forgiveness and then seeking forgiveness from the one's I've hurt. I am a bit shaken by all of this, but will continue to press forward into becoming a better man.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 5:25
Thanks for sharing Remnanttexan!
TSK
