Daily Lenten Devotion for 3/19

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

The idea that we are saved by grace through faith alone has come up a lot recently: in lectionary readings, in our theology of Methodism study, and in casual conversation. I’ve read, heard, and talked about it so much recently that is seems as though there’s nothing new to say. But for the sake of variety, let’s throw the words of the band Across the Sky into the conversation. Here are the lyrics of their song “Not So You Will Love Me,” which is a wonderful song about the Wesleyan idea of sanctification:

I wanna live in the moment,
Like there’s nothing that I lack,
I wanna give like there’s nothing to lose,
And no reason to look back.

Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
But because you do.

There’s no way to impress you,
There’s no grace I can earn.
Help me to see that my life is
A gift I can give in return.

Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
But because you do.

Because you do,
I don’t have to prove a thing,
Because you do,
I am free.

Where there’s suffering I will comfort,
Where there’s wandering I will guide,
Where there’s judgment I’ll show mercy,
And where there is darkness I’ll be light.

Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
Not so you will love me,
But because you do.