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— Ephesians 2:4-5 [ESV]
All throughout these first 2 chapters of Ephesians, Paul uses “You” and “Us” as separated groups of people. ‘You’ refers to the Gentiles and when he says ‘Us’ he is referring to the Jews. Next time you read Ephesians, pay close attention when he uses these pronouns and how they are applied.
“But God…” – this is my call out for today. Reading through yesterday’s passage about where I was in my trespasses and sin as well as by my nature being an object of wrath, this is such a huge statement – ‘But God’. In the NIV it is translated, “but, because of His great love for us, God…” However, I prefer, for my own reading to read the ESV version of this passage. Before, I was spiritually dead, being entirely separated from God. I was in a state of depravity that oozed into every decision I made because the desires of my heart were inherently sinful and due to my nature as an object of wrath, I had no means to look to things a different way. But then, God called me to Himself and saved me in the ugly place I was…why? Because of His great mercy and overwhelming love for me…a sinner. He MADE me alive in Christ. “Made” is such an important word because it means only God Himself could do it. Nothing I could have done; no work of my own hands or mind could change my situation, I needed the loving God of the universe to save from from the depths of my sin.
Application:
When I ask myself ‘Why, why would God do this for me; for a creation of his who sinned against Him so much? I am so undeserving of being saved in such a powerful way as being ‘alive’ in Christ.” I am led to the final stanza of this passage -> it is ‘by Grace’ I have been saved. I didn’t deserve what He extended to me; but God in His great love for me…did it. This is the mindset I must walk into every day of my life with. When I think and dwell on these truths, all pride is removed. All entitlements are negated. And I am filled with a gratitude and outlook that makes me like a well oiled tool ready to be used by God to do His work.
Today’s Psalm:
For the word of the LORD is upright,
Psalms 33:4-5 [ESV]
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.