Thursday
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:1-10, NIV)
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christians at Ephesus, a letter which was probably circulated to other churches as well, explains God’s plan for history which is to bring all things under Christ’s Lordship. We can sense Paul’s excitement as he describes how God raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in heaven “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given.” God’s intention is to place “all things under his [Christ’s] feet.” (1:20-23).
Following the summary of God’s strategy outlined in chapter 1, the Apostle then discusses various dimensions of God’s unfolding plan in chapters 2-3. Today’s verses describe the salvation of the individual by the grace of God. Paul is adamant in his claim that sinners are “dead.” Because of their disobedience, God has allowed people to seek gratification of their own thoughts and desires, but the lusts of the wicked can never be satisfied. Sinners who are “dead” do not have the ability to respond to God’s message of salvation, so Paul argues that it is God who, because of his great love and mercy, “made us alive in Christ.” Paul’s well-known summary is this: “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith… not by works” (v. 8-9).
Once we have been made alive in Christ and are therefore products of “God’s workmanship,” we are destined to “do good works” which God has prepared in advance (v. 10). Peace with God is the result of God’s initiative toward us who are sinners. We were dead, but Christ has given us life. For what purpose? To be his agents of peace and reconciliation in our world in ways he has already planned.
Prayer
Glorious Father, your strategy for history is beyond our full comprehension. We rejoice in the reality that all things are being brought under the feet of Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving us life when we were lifeless and offering us a role in your Kingdom as doers of good works. Amen.