The past is filled with regrets, sins, and death. The future is filled with life. How is that possible? Only through Jesus! Here in Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us that we once followed another ruler. He lied to us and he continues to spin lies. At that time we did as we pleased. We carried out our desires. In that very place of sinning against God, God saw us. He, who is rich in mercy, loved us!
May this never become old news. If the mercy and love of God has become insignificant to me, I have forgotten the desperate place of sin I was in.
Ephesians 2:1-7 (ESV)
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 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— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
There, in the very place of my own filth, God loved me. He gave His Son Jesus, for me - the Holy in exchange for the sinner! How is this possible? By grace alone this is possible! Now we are made “alive together with Christ” - this is our hope. Through Christ we can have confidence that the future is filled with Life. Jesus conquered death! He lives.
That’s what we have confidence in! If we called a man who is deceased our savior, our faith is not valuable. Everything hinges on the resurrection of Jesus!
We are assured elsewhere in the Bible, “3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ” (I Corinthians 15: 3-4)
Yes, Paul also wrote I Corinthians, but notice how he skillfully pulls in hundreds of testimonies: “5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ”(I Corinthians 15:5-7)
He tells of those who saw Jesus after His death. Then Paul points out how he himself saw Jesus alive, if you continue to read the passage from there, he speaks on how he doesn’t deserve God’s grace. Not one of us do. If we did, it would no longer be grace!
If Jesus wasn’t perfect, then He could not be a sacrifice for sins. If he wasn’t God, He wouldn’t be holy. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He willingly died in our place. He gave himself for you and me. Do you believe this? Share it!
Do you believe Jesus rose from the grave? Tell someone!
How quickly we will talk to people about our complaints. How natural our worries walk into our conversations. Why don’t we let Jesus step in? He is the One who gives life!
So many are afraid of death and we know the Author of Life! Let’s tell them of Jesus. What does the future hold? The future is filled with life.
A Prayer
Dear God,
You alone are holy, righteous, and good. Thank you for loving me right where I was. Thank you for sending your only begotton Son, Jesus. Thank you for giving me new life through His life! I’m so glad I am your child. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Questions to Ponder
When did you last focus on the gift of life God has given you?
How do you know the future is filled with life?
Who in your life needs to know the love of God?
A Song
“He Will Come” sung by Mandisa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ9XA2Ws-BA
Study of Ephesians
Are you interested in looking into Ephesians more? We started in chapter one. Take a look at "Identity: Ephesians 1" by clicking here. I love this book and the way God tells us who He is and who we are as a result.
Audio Devotional
Would you like to hear the Bible study read to you? Click here and the audio devotional page will open up. Then you can read along if you like or just listen in.
