Alive in Christ

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Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)

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 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.

Devotion:

            In this passage. Paul takes us on a spiritual journey from the depths of sin to a marvelous new life in Christ. Paul writes here a very difficult verse to translate. It is main verb does not occur until verse 5 and its subject until verse 4 in the Greek. In addition, the Greek is one long sentence beginning in verse 1 and going through verse 7. Despite the difficulties what we have is a workable English translation.

            Paul begins by declaring that we his readers were dead in our trespasses and sins. This phrase is emphatic. We were not just a little bit bad needing a quick shower to freshen up. We were stinking dead corpses. Rotting away no good for any use. We followed the ways of the world. Whatever the latest fashion of evil was we indulged ourselves in it. We followed the “ruler of the kingdom of the air.” Meaning the devil. We followed demonic courses of action that were leading us closer and closer to hell. We indulged ourselves in the lusts of the flesh. Doing whatever we wanted to do in our flesh. So, there we were controlled by the unholy trinity, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. We deserved to die for our trespasses and sins.

However, we have an extremely merciful God. He looks upon the death of his son Jesus on the cross as payment in full for all our atrocious behavior. God wants us all to be with him in heaven. Even while we were dead in our sins Christ’s love was strong enough to save us from the wrath of God. We did not have to clean ourselves up to be claimed by him. All we had to do was cry out for help. And the Lord saved us from our distress. This is so no one can boast that their works saved them. It was all and only grace. Let us pray a prayer of thanksgiving that Christ came to rescue sinners like us,

Prayer:

            Thank You God for sending your one and only begotten Son to save us from our sinful and disobedient ways. You were so kind and full of grace that even we did not love you—you loved us sacrificially. Help us to spread the good news of your loving kindness to everyone we meet today. So that your kingdom may grow sure of your love and grace. Amen.

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