“And You Were Dead”

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind

(Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)

Paul, in all his writings, makes it clear who we were before Christ, and what we are if we are not in Christ. He even counts himself as the greatest sinner of all. (1 Timothy 1:15) He describes our hearts, our sins, and the enemy's influence in our lives. Disobedient were we, and our disobedience still comes out in our sinful nature; yet, for we who are in Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we repent of them.

This paints a picture of humanity, sons and daughters of disobedience, turned over to reprobate minds. While many will not acknowledge the sickness of sin, it is at the heart of the cross, for had we not been sinners, Christ would not have sacrificed Himself on the cross. He would not have left the Father and taken the form of a servant. (Philippians 2:7)

This is the glory of the gospel. While we were still sinners, while we had not yet been born, Christ willingly died for our sins so that we could be rejoined with God. Christ was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) Christ silently went to the cross, and while crucified, prayed for those who put Him there.

Jesus died a bodily death after paying for humanity's sins on the cross. A treasure beyond all treasures, the Son of God, worth more than all creation, died to save the very people He had created. An absurd notion “to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”(1 Corinthians 1:18) It is the power of God who rose from the dead, fulfilling the Scriptures and releasing those who, by grace, come to faith in Christ as the risen Son of God, from the bondage of sin.

We are no longer prisoners of sin; we have assurances of eternal life. We have “already passed from death to life” through faith in Christ alone. (John 5:24). We know our hearts have been changed and that Christ lives in us. His mercy and grace flow through us, and Christ's love emanates from our hearts.

As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are prepared to suffer the persecution of the Christian life and the trials and tribulations of the world. We are prepared to put on the armor of God and stand firm in our faith. (Ephesians 6) Yet we know that through these troubles, we are not alone. Christ is our rock, our anchor in the storm. This is the glory and power of God, for once we are in His hands, we can never be taken away. (John 10:29)

Is this your life? Do you know Christ as your Savior? Are you devoted to God, placing your faith in Jesus Christ alone? If not, seek Him today. He is knocking on your door; open it, and He will come in and dine with you. (Revelation 3:20) You can eat the bread that came down from heaven, the Bread of Life. (John 6:51) Like Christ, you too can live forever in Heaven with your Savior.

Grace and Peace.