Scripture: Ephesians 2:20
As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
Thought for the Day: I’m sticking with this verse of scripture for another day as there is another perspective. Paul speaks about the household of God being built upon the apostles, prophets and Christ Jesus himself, and to claim such a foundation is to suggest a life built upon their principles and values. At the same time, it is essential that we understand Paul’s foundational concept of grace that stands as the cornerstone. Paul continued to hold the tension between the nonnegotiable of grace and the transformed life touched by this grace. We stand in the household of God as those who have been adopted through the gift of grace and not by our own doing. But once we understand the generosity of God, there is a responsibility as those who enjoy the benefits of grace to become a witness to that household. Our witness is never our doing, for it is entirely dependent upon the first actor who is God. At the same time, we must know the apostles, prophets and Christ Jesus himself if our witness is going to resemble their values and priorities. Though some have tried to make it an either-or, it cannot be. I am saved by grace and grace alone, but I cannot sit quietly by and ignore the responsibility that such a gift invokes.
Prayer: Thank you, O Gift of Grace, for bringing me into your household. May my life be more than one who simply enjoys such a gift, but provides a witness to other human beings whose lives are searching for the gift of grace. Amen.
