Lost and Found – Ephesians 2:1-10
From Death to Life
2 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through 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 ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
What does the Passage say?
Verses 1-3 As residents of this world, we are born into a condition of sin and disobedience, a legacy from Adam and Eve, that separates us from God our Creator. Because of our sin, we must stand in judgment by God.
Verses 4-5 On our own we are helpless to overcome our sin and disobedience. But God, knowing our weakness, has provided a plan for our salvation from judgment in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Verses 6-7 Our salvation in Jesus clears us of our sin, removing the requirement for God’s judgment. By grace, we are transformed spiritually into children of God, heirs to the eternal kingdom of heaven! Our transformation a showcase for God to display His unlimited love through us, who once were lost!
Verses 8-10 Our salvation is through Jesus’ grace alone! By that grace we can receive the Holy Spirit and walk the path that God has provided…blessed to become a blessing to others as a testament to God’s glory!
What does the Passage say to me/us?
Paul confronts the central issue of our human condition. While each person is born a holy creation of God “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), the stain of sin is in each of us. This sin, our predisposition to disobedience, separates us from God and demands judgment.
On our own, we cannot remove our sin. No good deed, sacrifice, act of contrition or effort to be in right relationship with our fellow humans can make us clean and holy. But by the wonderful mystery of Jesus’ atonement and grace, we can be born again…made new, forgiven and free to be the person God created. We can’t earned this grace, nor do we deserve it.
But in God’s perfect plan, all people are united, all creation is made new in Jesus. By this God demonstrates the fullness of His love and sets us free, blessed to be a blessing to the whole world!
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You have called us by grace to walk with You.
You have promised to be close at hand in every situation.
You have offered us “rivers of living water”.
When we turn our backs, ignore You or seek our own way, You keep offering forgiveness, acceptance and love. Help us in turn extend the same forgiveness, acceptance and love to the world.
In Christ name, AMEN.
*contributed by Larry Dickenson
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