Ephesians 2:1 And you, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
You who were dead What type of death is Paul speaking about? You who were dead in trespasses and sins. This is the spiritual death -- all who are without Christ are spiritually dead in their sins.
Sin is a disease, a deadly, fatal disease.
2:2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
To walk in disobedience to God is to be a child of the disobedient prince. Who leads his children into death everlasting. A very serious condition indeed! Yet it is the "course of the world" for "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many go that route: Because tight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:13-14)
2:3 Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
This is the natural condition of every person who is centered on self. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) And they are children of the spirit of disobedience heading for destruction.
The living dead.
Can a dead person give himself life? (speaking in the literal sense) Can a dead person give himself life?NO of course not.In the same sense we can ask --can a person dead in sin give himself life?
The answer is NO- there is no way-- A person dead in sin cannot give himself spiritual life.
BUT GOD!!! First He describes the hopeless state human beings find themselves in, but then he totally turns the situation around with two simple words --- BUT GOD Yes, when God steps in everything changes. 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
What a glorious truth! The book of Ephesians is full of such wonderful promises. But now, let’s explore this a little further.
First we were presented with the totally hopeless condition of mankind apart from Christ. Then we read this wonderful truth which God has given to us.
Now, we may ask, how does God give us this spiritual life? What actually takes place?
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
The price paid that we might have life was an awesome price! Christ died so that we might have life. He took our sins, He Who knew no sin, that we might become righteous and alive in Him. We are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
What a blessed thing the forgiveness of sins is to one who is being spiritually awakened and senses the awful weight of guilt from all their sins. How precious the His blood washes away the guilt of our sins, He clothes us with His robe of righteousness!
However, this is not all. Forgiveness is not all that God does.
He "quickens" or makes us ALIVE! Spiritually alive in Him!
2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them
Is God powerful enough to change our lives from “living in transgression and sins” to living a life of righteousness?
For when we truly come to Christ, we become His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works and we walk in the way God prepares for us to walk!
Sin is not just making a “mistake” sin is a driving power toward destruction and death.
As we see Christ on the cross we can see that sin is death-- for sin is death . Christ, (who had no sin, ) on taking upon Himself our sins took upon Himself DEATH.
How much power did it take to raise Him from the lowest depths, to which OUR sins had sent Him. and raise Him in triumphant and glorious newness of life, and place Him on the right hand of God on His throne in heaven?
Yes, Christ rose from the dead! He is victorious over sin and death!
That same power can raise us to life, we who were dead in trespasses and sin, carrying the guilt of our sins, can, through His blood be forgiven, and more, He CAN make us alive spiritually, together with Christ and make us to sit with Him in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.
He can raise us to spiritual life, breaking the cords of sin, to live in newness of life above the worldly turmoil.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
