As for me, I was dead in my transgressions and sins, in which I used to live when I followed the ways of this world and of the rule of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at working those who are disobedient. I also loved among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of my sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, I was by nature an object of wrath. But because of his great love for me, God, who is rick in mercy, made me alive with Christ even when I was dead in transgressions -- it is by grace I have been saved. And God raised me up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace I have been saved, through faith -- and this not from myself, it is the gift of God -- not by works so that I cannot boast. For I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for me to do.

adapted from Ephesians 2:1-10