Alive in Christ
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Ephesians 2:1-10
All of us were sinners– separated from God. But God loved us so much that He had a plan to rescue us and bring us back to Himself. Because of Jesus Christ we can be seated with God at His Family Table as His sons and daughters. Ephesians 2:1-10 is a wonderful passage of scripture that explains what being alive in Christ is all about.
Dead by Nature
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 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. 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. Eph. 2:1-3 NIV
We used to be dead in disobedience to God, caught up in the world and deceived by demons. That’s who we were at one time, but no more. We used to think it was normal to sin. Our old nature was dead and destined for eternal punishment. Though we may not have realized it, we followed the ways of the kingdom of darkness ruled by the devil. We lived for ourselves, seeking pleasure and love from the earthly physical realm of this world
Alive in Christ
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Eph. 2:4-5 NKJV
God is rich in mercy! He had a plan to bring us out of the kingdom of darkness into His Kingdom! God loved us all so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to live on earth in human flesh like us, except that Jesus never sinned. Jesus alone could take the punishment for our sin. He was tortured and died on the cross for us, but three days later God raised Jesus from the dead! And because He is alive, those who believe in His grace are made alive together with Him.
We inherited a sinful nature from the first two humans who sinned– Adam and Eve. That is why we are all born spiritually dead. There was no hope for us because we could not earn our way back to our loving Creator. He is the giver of life but our sin separated us from Him! But God’s grace (His powerful favor, kindness and blessing) reached down through Jesus and made us alive with Him! Those who believe in Jesus have gone from death to life. We have a new nature through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
Seated with God
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:6-7 NLT
The moment we finally decide that we will follow Jesus no matter the cost, we are united with Him. This could be a short decision process or a long one, but it is not a religious decision. It is a decision from the heart as the Holy Spirit draws us into relationship with Him. The moment we sincerely say, “Yes” to Jesus, we become one with God and alive in Christ. We move from death to life and an amazing thing happens.
Jesus takes us to be seated with God in the realm of the Spirit— even while we live on earth. Everything we need to walk the narrow road and stay close to God, our loving Father, is available to us. Most of all, if we learn to follow God by His Spirit, we become kind and loving like our God.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
If we do not understand that we have already been raised from death to life and are spiritually seated with God in the heavenly realms, we are left to our own power to try to be good. But we cannot be good by our own power! God has cleansed us and wants to empower us by His Spirit. It is His power that delivers us from temptations and even demonic strongholds that linger. Knowing we are seated with God is the first step toward victory! Then we can learn to walk by the Holy Spirit.
God’s Gift – Salvation
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph. 2:8-9 NASB
Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians in the early years after Jesus rose from the dead. Before he gave his life to Jesus, Paul was called Saul and was a very religious Jewish leader. Saul was so focused on man made religious rules that he missed the whole point– the faithful love of God for humanity. He tried to earn God’s favor through his own religious works. Paul’s number one goal was to find people who didn’t keep the Jewish laws and then punish or kill them. He killed many Christians thinking God would be pleased.
But God loved Saul anyway and Christians were praying for him to stop the persecution. Steven even prayed for him to be forgiven! One day Saul was knocked to the ground by the force of Jesus’ powerful presence and light. Saul was blinded for 3 days and through the loving care of Christians, Saul came to believe in Jesus Christ! His name was changed to Paul, and for the rest of his life, Paul preached the Good News of Jesus Christ with the emphasis upon God’s grace– God’s extravagant love!
Saved by Grace– Not Works!
No person can come to God based on their own righteousness. We can’t do enough good things to raise ourselves from sin and death to purity and life. It’s impossible! But once we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives inside us and we are ready to do good works in God’s Kingdom for His glory!
From Heaven to Earth
For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. Eph. 2:10. AMP
God has wonderful things planned for each of His children to do. He has chosen to express His power and love through us to the world. So, as we finish our time here on earth, let’s pay attention to the Holy Spirit. We do that through prayer and seeking to take God’s Word into our hearts. Our obedience comes from a heart full of gratitude to Jesus and worship toward our Father and Creator.
Christ Lives in Us
What touches the Father most is when someone comes to life by trusting in His Son, Jesus! So, we pray for power and guidance from the Holy Spirit to tell others about Jesus. And if we love one another as the Lord has loved us, our hearts are ready to live in victory! For we have been brought from death to life and are seated with God in the heavenly realms! We are alive in Christ!
The Glory of God in America!
