Topic: WE ARE ALIVE BY HIS MERCY – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 10 September 2020 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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WE ARE ALIVE BY HIS MERCY
“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;)” Ephesians 2:4-5 KJVGod, because of His love and mercy towards us, made us alive in Christ even whilst we were dead in sin and did not qualify for such benevolence. The Oxford dictionary defines mercy as “compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm”. This means that because of sin, man deserved judgment. You and I deserved judgment! And though God was well within His rights to serve judgment against man, He chose to show love and compassion. Christ’s redemptive sacrifice overruled the judgement and the punishment that we deserved. Mercy, therefore, is love expressed. You did nothing to earn it. It was freely given.Child of God, if mercy and the benefits of God’s mercy have been freely given through Christ, then you have a responsibility to acknowledge and receive His mercy. The good news is that the benefits of God’s mercies can be experienced in all areas of your life – physical, spiritual, material, financial, health, business, family etc. You determine what you receive. God has done his part! This is where the rubber meets the road. What is your capacity to receive? Beloved if your experience does not match God’s perfect will for your life, you no longer can hold God responsible. As far as God is concerned, He has finished everything that needs to be finished. The ball is now in your court.That is why you should make intentional effort to build up your faith to receive everything He has provided. The assignment you have is to believe. When you believe in the finished work of Christ on your behalf, you begin to operate in the realm of rest. It is all about Jesus and what He has already made available for you. You don’t have anything to do with it. He did it all for you! Believe and receive!Further Reading: John: 3:16-14-21, Hebrew 4:14-16Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Proverbs 8-9; Evening- 2 Corinthians 3