January 7
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GOD MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST
And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, 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 boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 2:1-7
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In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul recognizes that we are all dead, meaning we are all sinful and have offended God. He reiterates and reminds the believers that we must never forget the state we were in when God gave Jesus to us as a ransom for our sins. In verse 2, he emphasizes our natural bent to disobey and we used to follow the world systems. In verse 3, Paul acknowledges the lusts of man’s flesh who only wants to satisfy its own selfish cravings. The shift from verse 3 to 4 is the difference of our sinful nature to God’s mercy and great love for all of us. In verse 5, he further expounds on the grace given to us even though we don’t deserve such gift of salvation through Christ’s death. In verse 6, Paul talks about the resurrection power that is granted to us as soon as Christ died for us. Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we too, must die to our sinful nature and be resurrected just like Jesus did. Verse 7 manifests the boundless riches of God’ grace and his kindness towards all those who believe in Christ.
When I became born again almost nine years ago, I was spiritually dead because I did not turn my back on sin. I didn’t understand the sacrifice that Jesus did for me to have a clean slate with God. I also failed to comprehend the mercy and great love that was given as a gift so I can be free. I failed to receive and open the gift of grace and mercy. I was so wrapped up in my own drama and traumas that I didn’t know the true nature of God. I am grateful to my Lord and Savior because, when He chose to give me the gift of salvation, I can now have victory over my sinful nature. It doesn’t mean that I will be sinless, it only means that I will not make a habit of sinning. I will choose to be clean and pure for God.
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REFLECTION
• When was the first time you felt so alive in Christ? How did he transform you?