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Reading Text – Ephesians 2:1-10
Have you ever seen anyone who is nearing their final breath on earth? It is very sobering to watch their physical body, usually lying in a bed, unable to do anything on their own. As they transition from physical life on earth, sometimes they open their eyes with joy and anticipation as they look toward their eternal life. No one really knows what the transition is like, we can only imagine as we watch loved ones make the journey from this life into eternity.
But we do know what it feels like to once be dead in our trespasses and sins, and then to become alive together with Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we get to experience the joy and anticipation of eternal life right where we are as our old spiritual man dies. “We used to walk [habitually] following the course of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [We were obedient to, and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].” (Ephesians 2:1-2, Amplified translation).
Verse 3 tells us that “we all once conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sinful nature].” This reminds us that we all have gone astray. But because of our life in Christ, we can rejoice that God – so rich in mercy, in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, sent His Son. Even when we were habitually following the course of the world, He made us alive in union with Christ. [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself]. God, our loving heavenly Father, has made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him in the heavenly sphere] (verses 4-6).
Why did God do this for you and me? So that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace in His kindness and goodness toward us in Christ Jesus. It is by free grace that we are saved (verses 7-8). Grace is the kindness, blessing, and favor of God toward you and me, who believe! It has nothing to do with what we’ve done, but everything to do with what Jesus has already done, once – for all time.
Grace is the kindness, blessing, and favor of God toward you and me, who believe! It has nothing to do with what we’ve done, but everything to do with what Jesus has already done, once – for all time.
And nothing can separate you from that goodness and grace. Romans 8:35, 38-39 is clear, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Who is trying to separate you from this love? Is it the ungodly beliefs that the devil is speaking to you? The truth is that we cannot be separated from God’s love, but believing the lies the enemy speaks to us can cause us to doubt the truth of God’s love. After our old spirit man dies, we are alive together with Christ and NOTHING can separate us from Him.
Take a moment to connect with your Heavenly Father.
Father, I thank you that in Christ, I am totally alive and that I no longer have to walk in the habits of the course of this world or under the sway of the demon spirit who works in the sons of disobedience. I thank You that Jesus became obedient to the point of death on a cross so that I might be made alive. Thank you, Lord, that nothing can separate me from Your love. Show me where I am not fully trusting You in any area of my life and help me to come in complete agreement with Your love for me. Thank you that I am alive in You today. Amen.
