Saved by Grace

Ephesians Day Eleven

You are of the household of God built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2: 19-22

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given... Ephesians 3: 8

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. I Timothy 1: 15

It seems to me that our verse from Ephesians should be tightly tied together with another from Paul's letter to Timothy. Both express Paul's profound gratitude for God's grace, not only in his own life, but for all who know of their unworthiness. Paul was convinced that if he, the one who breathed out ravenous threats against Jesus' followers (Acts 9: 1), could come under God's grace, then God's grace was open to all. Allow me to humbly express Paul's sentiment in verse.

 Not one of the shepherds
When Mary gave birth
Not one of the magi
Who came from afar
Not Hannah or Simeon
Who sang for joy
But one who scorned
And sought to destroy

Not one of the sick
Who knew his touch
Not one of the lame
Whose legs he healed
Not demon-possessed
Who were set free
But one who despised
Him hanged on the tree

Not one of the twelve
Who followed his way
Not one of the many
Whose Spirit received
Not of Jerusalem's band
Who suffered loss
But one who distained
The man on the cross.

But one who did persecute
Who breathed out threats
Who bound and arrested
Who had beaten with stones
Who cursed his name
Who despised his people
Who was the chief of sinners
Who is saved by grace.

Chief of sinners though I be,
Jesus shed His blood for me;
Died that I might live on high,
Lived that I might never die,
As the branch is to the vine,
I am His, and He is mine. 

 ~ William McComb