Ephesians 2:1-7 Christ’s condemnation, Man’s salvation

Ephesians 2:1-7

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in 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 coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Background

Paul recounts the state the believers once were in order to remind them of the purpose God has ordained for their lives. Their transition from death to life is not one that is obtained by a wave of God’s hand or a spoken word but through the derogatory and fateful death of His Son. Man’s restoration is not a display of pity and compassion but a full manifestation of God’s grace where sinners are restored as sons with full rights to their inheritance.

Observation

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Two things that come against humanity that keeps him from experiencing the abundant life: firstly, humanity is dead: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. The word “dead” represents everything that is opposite of abundant life, where all is lost and beyond hope of recovery. Secondly, humanity is totally set on the desires of the flesh: following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air; humanity is one with the devil: the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. One can think of a person being drawn passionately to another, having lost all desire for his/her own spouse: we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. The passions of our flesh is a bait implanted by the devil inside man that draws him towards that which will harm him. It seems acceptable for God to concede to the loss of humanity, having done all to save them. In fact, many prophets have lost their lives in the endeavor to draw humanity back to God. It makes perfect sense to “move on” by recreating a new lineage of humanity.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved.

What seems acceptable, is not acceptable to God; He cannot accept the loss of humanity and does the unthinkable, by trading His own life for undeserving men and women. Jesus gave what is most precious: His own life; the Father gave what is most precious to Him: the life of His own Son, Jesus. Why would Jesus give His own life to resurrect humanity that is already dead when He could create a new lineage of the human race? Because God had in his heart the names of every man and woman that ever lived; He wants to resurrect humanity at all cost! What seems illogical and unjustifiable, God gave His own life so that we can be brought back to life: by grace you have been saved.

And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 

As a result of this grace, not only is humanity spared of eternal condemnation, he is fully restored to the position of a son and seated in a place of honor with God: seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Hypothetically, God can still spare man by giving him the position of a servant as in the case of the “prodigal son” (see Luke 15:19-24). But God chooses to restore to man the full stature of a son because He loves every son despite their rebellion. However, it does not mean that every son will have the same glory, honor and authority as that of Jesus Christ. For they will be rewarded by the righteous Judge according to their virtues and their work on earth. Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” (Revelations 22:12).

So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

It is only in the full restoration to the stature of a son can man experience the immeasurable riches of God’s grace. Our restoration to sonship gives us the right to experience the immeasurable riches and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Hence, the working of God’s grace is not only at the point of man’s salvation, but perpetually and immeasurably towards eternity: in the coming ages.

Truth

1.    We must put on our rightful identity and perceive ourselves with dignity and royalty. Sons carry the honor and authority of God and are ordained to rule creation with Christ: … seated us with him in the heavenly places. Therefore, as sons we must always see ourselves as how God sees us. In any circumstance, sons are ordained to rule and to contribute to the building of God’s establishment. Therefore, we must lay hold of opportunities to contribute to our organization and community and not to shy away from challenges. We can start by learning to present ourselves confidently in the way we speak and dress. Learn to flow with the inner voice, by yielding yourself to your intuition, the Spirit takes occasion to raise you up among your peers and to accomplish His work.

2.    When it seems that all is lost, you can turn things around by first giving your life to God. A sacrifice is usually the thing that turns circumstances around for good. When humanity is doomed, Jesus gave His life and resurrected man. Death of the self is necessary in order to bring new life in the things that are already dead. Start by giving your mind and your heart to God every morning through reading the word and prayer. God will instruct you concerning the tasks of the day that bear fruit and strengthen you for them.

3.   Your allegiance to the Light or to darkness determines who you are. Your knowledge of God or the lack of it, does not make who you are but the inclinations of your heart. The reason we divorce ourselves from the passions of the flesh is because they are at enmity with God and what He stands for. Jesus declares, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Man looks at the appearance, but God looks at the heart. As our allegiance towards God grows more resolute, so does our authority and power over creation.

Application

1.   Every morning before you leave for work, look into the mirror and determine what kind of person you are: a person of righteousness and royalty seated with Christ, and tasked to bring salvation and prosperity to the people that you come in contact with.

2.   Do you give your life to God by seeking to fulfill His desires or are you led by the cares of life and by your own passions? Learn to live each day with God’s agenda by hearing His voice the first thing every morning.

Dear Lord, I thank You for not only sparing me from condemnation but You raised me up to the position of Your son with full rights to Your inheritance. My allegiance is Yours forever and I divorce myself from the things of darkness. I detest what You detest and desire what You desire. I ask You to regenerate my heart to honor and love You more. As I surrender my life to You, cause all my endeavors to bear fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


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