Ephesians: Tear Down These WallsSample

Brené Brown in her book Daring Greatly introduces the idea of the "scarcity fallacy". The idea in Western culture that, despite being the wealthiest we’ve ever been, we believe that we live in a constant state of lack. 

We believe we need more: more time, more money, more love, more safety, more opportunities… more… more… more! 

This insatiable appetite and constant craving for more can leave us thinking we’re living in lack and under-appreciating our current blessings. This is probably why we approach God with entitled prayer lists while falsely believing he’s holding out on us when we don’t get our answers.

But we worship a generous God! Look at the words used to describe God’s actions. He has poured out his glorious grace. He is so rich in kindness and grace. He has showered his kindness upon us. 

This language evoke a picture of a vat of water being poured out. It’s out of the overflow of God’s grace and kindness that he has redeemed and forgiven us. We swim under the waterfall of God’s goodness and grace. He is not a stingy God.

God’s goodness spilled over into our redemption and forgiveness! The idea of redemption is a throwback to the Exodus story, where God "delivered" Israel from slavery. 

In the first century, redemption required a price to be paid, a sum of money, in order to set a slave free. God paid for our freedom with the blood of his son (1:7). There is nothing more valuable to God. Nothing that demonstrates his generosity, kindness, and sacrificial goodness to us more than the cross.

So, in case you’re wondering today, "Has God run out of grace for me?" Be assured that there’s an infinite storehouse of grace in the heart of God. You can’t out-sin his grace. We have every spiritual blessing in Christ (1:3). We don’t live in lack and scarcity, we live enjoying the generous provision of God.

What's our response to God’s generous grace and kindness? Praise (1:6)! 

When Israel crossed over the Red Sea and God destroyed Pharaoh's army, Israel stopped to sing a song. To praise God (Exodus 15). We need to be a counter-cultural people, cultivating a spirit of gratitude, and living generous lives in response to God’s grace. 

We can cultivate gratitude in a thousand practical ways today! What will you do?