Welcome to the PoG Blog! Our relationship with God is similar to other relationships we have in that it takes time for the relationship to grow. If we have a serious relationship with someone then we spend time with that individual. Before you read the scripture verse and comments below, please take some time to calm yourself in prayer, asking God to prepare your heart for whatever He wants to say to you right now. May God bless you through this time of intentional connection with Him! Ephesians 2:1 - 5 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 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. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
The references to being dead make me think of phrases like “stopped dead in your tracks” or “dead to rights”. St. Paul seems to be saying that before Christ rescued us we were like the walking dead – people who appear to be alive on the outside but are dead inside. But because of God’s great love for us, we have been made alive in Christ. It reminds me of the transformation caused by the renewing of our minds, written about in Romans 12.
Why and how did this all happen? The final verse says it all. This great transformation, this sudden change from death to life, happened purely by the grace of God. There is nothing inside of us deserving of salvation. It is strictly by God’s grace – His undeserved love for us – that we have been saved. That is something that excites me. God loving me so much that He sent His own son to the cross. That is something that changes the whole way I live my life. May God bless you today as you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Mark