Marie’s daily verse: 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

DAILY DEVOTION, April 4, 2023

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).

Paul refers to our condition before Christ. God was dealing with Israel, and we were aliens. We were strangers to His promises. We were without hope and without God. Paul paints a rather grim picture of our spiritual condition. The word “hopeless” is an apt description of our state without Christ.

Then comes that glorious word “but.” We who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He shed His blood so that we might be forgiven of our sins. By faith, we enter into an eternal relationship with God. We who were once hopeless are now filled with hope, all because of Jesus. We are saved by faith alone, faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world. All this came about because God loved us even when we were His enemies. How can we not love Him in return?

Gracious and loving Father, thank You for loving me when I was far from You. Thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior. I do not understand everything about You, but I know You are a god of love. I thank You with all my heart. In the name of Jesus, Amen.