SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 2
BIBLE VERSES:
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving 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.” (Ephesians 2″3-5)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. ” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)
MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST (vs. 1-10)
We are dead in our transgressions because we follow the ways of the world. The ways of the world include: gratifying the cravings of sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts of disobedience. But the great love and mercy of God made us alive with Christ by saving us up and sitting with him in the heavenly realms. By grace, we have been saved through faith which is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (vs. 8-9) God had prepared us in advance to do good works (v. 10).
ONE IN CHRIST (vs. 11-22)
Before, we were separated from Christ without hope. But now, we are brought near through the blood of Christ. He had destroyed the barrier, broken the dividing wall of hostility and abolished the law and regulations. Since he had made himself peace and create one new man to reconcile with God, we have access to the Father by one spirit. Believers are member of one body, citizen of one holy nation and living stone in one temple.
THOUGHTS:
- We were lost sinners enslaved by the world living for its pleasures and lust. But God in his mercy and grace gave us life and raised us up from the grave of sin. We now become a new creation reconciled to Him. In him, we are joined together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (v. 22)
- Since we become Christian through God’s unmerited favor, we have to express our gratitude by helping and serving others with kindness. May our salvation results in acts of service to serve Christ and build up the church.
- We are God’s workmanship, his master piece. Therefore, we should live a holy life and treat each other with respect.
- God had destroyed the barriers people build between each other. Those barriers include: age, appearance, intelligence, political parties, economic status, race, theological perspective. May the Holy Spirit help us to look beyond the barrier to enjoy unity.