Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The condition of every person ever born on this planet, besides One, is absolute condemnation. We are completely powerless to change that reality and we can do nothing to earn relief from that position. However, God’s grace has made a way of salvation for us through the work of Jesus on the cross. When we place our faith in Christ, God graciously grants us forgiveness and freedom from sin.
THE WORK OF SIN AGAINST US: When we were born, it marked what we call the beginning of our physical life. However, in the spiritual realm, we were born dead. No matter how hard we might try, we cannot keep from sinning. At times we sin intentionally; while on other occasions, we try to do what we think is right, but fall short of God’s standard because our motives or attitudes are not pleasing to Him. There are three constant influences that facilitate this sinful and condemned life: society, Satan, and self. The world in which we live is corrupt and is always distracting us from God and His glory to seek our own glory. All the forces of evil that are unseen to our eyes are very real and are always looking to thwart the work of God by promoting disobedience of God’s will, distraction from God’s mission, and the destruction of God’s image bearers. However, the most persistent and constant source of temptation to sin comes from our own fallen nature. Our head, heart, and hands have been contaminated and constantly lead us down a path of sin. The result of this reality is that all of us were born as children of God’s wrath because of our spiritual death.
THE WORK OF CHRIST FOR US: “But God” looking upon our wretched state, was moved with mercy and love for us. There is nothing we did or could do to earn this mercy and love, it is simply a demonstration of His grace towards us. God simply determined to make us, who were born dead, alive with Christ, resurrected with Christ, and be seated in the heavenlies with Christ. We are reborn, resurrected, and reigning with and because of Christ. The reason God showed us this amazing mercy, love and grace was because He wanted to bring glory to Himself. What is amazing in this entire section, and perhaps the most astounding truth imaginable is that we are the instruments He is using to show off His amazing riches, grace, and kindness. The fact that He will use us, dead and dirty people, as proof of His glory can only be attributed to His grace and what He does in us through Christ.
THE WORK OF GRACE IN US: The reason we can be instruments that bring glory to Him is because our salvation is only by grace. We could do nothing to earn salvation, it is simply a grand demonstration of His amazing and glorious grace. The only requirement made of us to experience this glorious salvation is faith. When we trust exclusively on the work of Christ on the cross for our salvation from sin; we are saved. All our sin is forgiven, and we are credited with the righteousness of Christ. This wonderful gift of salvation cannot be earned by works. However, it will always result in the work of the Spirit of God in our lives. The Father has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus, who sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer. The result of this amazing gift of salvation is that we, dead and dirty people, become new creations and are His workmanship so we will do the works He has prepared for us to do so that we can demonstrate clearly the “immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us.”
APPLICATION: Beware of the dangers that society, Satan, and self represent in our lives. Even after we are saved from sin and given this new life in Christ, we must still beware of and resist these temptations for sin. Rejoicingly worship God for His astounding grace and stand in awe of His power that is able to make us alive and then use us as instruments of His glory. Worship is the only right response for such amazing grace. Allow the Spirit to work in and through us as we respond in obedience to His leading.
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