Bible Readings: Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 50:1-6A psalm of Asaph.1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.3 Our God comes and will not be silent;a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:5 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. (Psalm 50:1-6)4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)Psalm 50 calls to our minds the image of God as Mighty Judge who “summons” his people to stand before him because of their refusal to live out their lives faithfully before God. There is a dire warning that comes later in this Psalm (Psalm 50:22) for those who “forget God”, but also a promise to those who live a life that honors God and seek to live “blamelessly” before him (Psalm 50:23). What would it be like to stand before the Righteous Judge from whom nothing is hidden. Not our thoughts, motives, or the secrets we want no one to know. How would God find me? Paul reminds us that if we were stand before the Righteous Judge as we were, we would be “dead in [our] transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). But…What a wonderful word! That is a kingdom of God word. But…It is a transformational word. It is a word that can rewrite any story. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)The Apostle Paul goes on to say that we are “God’s handiwork” which means that this work of salvation is not simply a “Get into Heaven” card. This life in Christ is truly transformative as God’s grace is at work in us. We continually invite God to search our hearts and draw out any sin and death that lingers there and write his law of love into us – God teach me to live blamelessly before you. As we spend some time in reflection and prayer this season of Lent, may we keep trusting Jesus and receiving God’s love, mercy, and kindness as a lifelong journey of discipleship and sanctification that involves confronting and putting to death our old ways of sin and death.Heavenly Father, have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. By your great compassion, wipe away my transgressions. Wash away and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Amen (prayer based on David’s prayer in Psalm 51)