We were lost in our sin . . . but God. . .gave us life!

Eph. 2:1-6 NLT    

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.  3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 

4  But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,  5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)  6 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.






Paul continues teaching the Ephesian church, and us as well, about understanding the incredible greatness of God's power.  He reminds us all that before we came to faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, we were lost in our sin. We were so lost that it was as though we were dead. In fact, our life then compared to the eternal life in Christ we now share is just like death compared over against life.  He reminds us that we used to 'live in sin like the rest of the world.'  The world lives in sin-- self will. The world understands only self will. The people in control in this world have moved to the peak of self-will and sin-- as evidenced by their inablity to be truthful even when faced with evidence. We can't condemn those people, however because we used to be just like them. It is only by God's grace that we are at all different today-- if we actually are different and not just masquerading. We used to follow the 'passionate desires in inclinations of our sinful nature too.

Bless the dear apostle for his precious words in the beginning of verse 4, "But God. . . "  We would be lost in our sin still but for God's grace. We would still be dead because of our sins but for the fact that through His grace He has given us life, cleansed us from sin, and has determined to set us among the righteous ones in heaven-- when we arrive there. Why fuss over the way of the world? Why not rejoice in your newness of life and work to share that with others who are now lost in their sin? You can't fix the world, but you can share the message that can fix a life for eternity.

Your Servant in Christ's Love
Dan
drdanelliott@gmail.com