Ephesians 2-A “You Were Dead”

S = 2:1-3 “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.”

O = We all were people of disobedience following the dominant culture of rebellion against God—the results were clear in Paul’s words to the Ephesians like: “separated…alienated…strangers…no hope” (v. 12). Those are the lonely words that echo in the deep chasms of the soul. God knows we deserved his wrath! Our bodies walked, spoke, and consumed to exist, but our spirit was dead. Yet God in costly love has reached down and raised us up by grace! He has brought us near in relationship to him, and he brought us peace—in fact, He is our peace (v.14). He has made us citizens of the city of God through faith! We are strangers no more but members of the family of God!

A = Am I still living like I did before…merely fulfilling the desires of my body and mind, or like Christ saved me to live—with eyes set above? It certainly is a struggle. Do I walk through life as though I were still like I was before Christ saved me—hopeless, loveless, people-less; or am I basking thankfully in the acceptance God in Christ has extended to me? Do I still trust in my own works and meager righteousness to one day give me access to God, or have I repented, even of my “good” works and cast myself wholeheartedly on the wonderful mercy of Christ? Yes and I continue to do so each day...for pride and self-reliance die hard.

P = O Lord, thank you for your grace—I know that I don’t deserve it, but you are just that awesome!. Thanks for being my peace, for making me alive, for all your unnoticed kindnesses towards me. Help me to keep you always in mind and heart...and may I pay your mercy forward into the lives of those I encounter this week! Amen.