Image from deltalifebootcamp.com
Not too many of us like to take trips to the graveyard, but this passage from Ephesians 2:1-10 does just that; a journey back to when we were dead in Christ. We had no idea Who Jesus was or what Jesus could do. We were content in our sins and our giving in to sinful cravings and the transgressions we were committing against God and others. Yet, Paul says, it was while we were dead that we came alive in, and through, Jesus Christ; the product of God's prevenient grace at work in our lives, seeking us and inviting us to life. It was that grace that brought us to that point where we said yes to new life, yes to a spiritual life, and yes to Jesus Christ. At that point of our surrendering our all to Jesus, justifying grace was at work, removing our sin, and making us new and alive in Jesus Christ, helping us to die to the old nature. The reign and rule of the prince of the air was taken away. We were brought to newness of life by grace, and Paul says that twice, in verse 5b, and again in verse 8; we can boast not on our power or works, we boast only in the power of God through Jesus, to do what was done to save and renew us.
Our new life has taken us to the heavenly realms, the spiritual realms, where we have a seat next to Christ Jesus. Again, all of this, the work and gift of grace, not by our own doing, not by works, for all the credit, honor and glory, belongs to God. However flawed Satan may tell us we still are, rebuke him, and remind him and ourselves, that we are still God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works to fulfill God's plan for us.
EAT-TO-YOUR FILL PRAYER: Loving God, as thoughts may sometimes take us back to painful or sinful memories, our present reality is right here, right now, with You. Allow those journeys to remind us only of Your awesome grace which lifted us from there to get us here, this new life in Christ Jesus, and dead to the trespasses and sins of long ago. Thank You for Your awesome grace that works even now to remove our sin and leads and guides us to new places in which I can give witness to what You can do in all lives. I praise You and love You, and lift this prayer of faith and thanksgiving in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, amen.
