We are going to read all 10 verses because context is a good thing.
Made Alive in Christ
Ephensians 2:1-10
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But 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. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 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. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What popped out at you?
How have you noticed God’s grace in your everyday life?
What do you think about the idea that God prepared work for us to do?
Some thoughts I had:
Verse 1: “You were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live”
There’s been a fantastic transformation here! God is creative all the time. Enabling people to be fully alive instead of zombies wandering around looking for hope. Even when we don’t deserve it. There was never a time when we deserved it. That’s the whole point of Grace.
Verse 4-5: 4 But 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.
We can’t save ourselves. Sometimes our transgressions pop up again throughout life God is in the saving business every day…and He likes it. He gives grace away as His gift (Verse 8) to undeserving people like us. We are never the same again. Hope.
Verse 6-7 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 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.
There’s MORE? I can barely wrap my head around the “regular” amount of grace we get every day. Could have just focused on these two verses.
Verses 9-10: 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This seemed fitting as we go into our Summer stretch. Some programs are winding down, making room for new Summer things. The good works, whatever the Lord has planned for us to do, don’t save us, but they are part of being made alive in Christ. Also interesting. that the works are prepared for us to do. It’s a team effort, not hanging on any one regular human. Everyone has their own specific gifts form God to bring to the table.