Ephesians 2
It is a pretty bleak picture that Ephesians
2 paints of the human condition. Many people today begin with the assumption
that people are basically good and they make bad decisions. Paul begins from
the view that we are born dead in trespasses and sins, disobedient children,
separated, alienated, and having no hope because we were without God. No, that’s
not a pretty picture at all.
It’s important to understand the human
condition as Paul describes it. When we understand the darkness of our hearts
we can make sense of the horrific things that happen in this world – like the
Syrian war atrocities; be they the mass murders by chemical attack or the
individual beheadings before cheering crowds. If we are naturally good, where
do such things come from? Of course there are those who would argue that
behavior is neither good nor bad, as they reject any standard that applies to
all people. This, in and of itself, is a perversely logical view for those who
reject God, for if there is no God, then if follows that all things are permissible.
It is also important to understand the
depravity of the human condition in order to begin to fathom the immense depth
of God’s grace, the richness of his mercy, and the greatness of the love with
which He loved us. He takes us in our sin and corruption and shows the immeasurable
riches of his grace as He shows His kindness to us for Jesus’ sake. We have not
been forgiven for a little bit, or for a slight character flaw. We have been
forgiven for the most scandalous kinds of sin – for all sin is a scandal to
God.
This kindness was given to us in Christ
Jesus. That means it was given to us through faith in Jesus. It is ours because
He bore our sins on the cross and, dying, left them there. This is what it
means when Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this
is not your own doing; it is the gift of God….”
We have been made alive in Christ –
moved from death to life – just as He is risen from the dead. We are now God’s
people. We have gone from alienation to living in His love. What an amazing
grace!
Thank You, God for loving me and giving Your
Son to die for me even while I was dead in my sin. Help me live in Christ each
day. Amen.
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