Made Alive With Christ

This week I would like to start a study on Ephesians chapter 2. It continues what I shared from chapter 1 last week.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms — all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

All of us started off as sinners. Many stand as moral and good in human eyes, but still get counted as sinners. Why is this? When looking for human approval only, it can turn selfish fast. We have to do the work ourselves for the reputation we want. God looks at the heart to determine why we chose to be moral and good.

God is not mad at anyone who chooses not to accept Him or Jesus, sent to die on the cross for us. He gave us a way back after man disobeyed in the garden because He loves us. We are dead to Him when not accepting Him and in sin. We gain the eternal life promised by God only by accepting that Jesus died on the Cross and shed His blood to cleanse us. Even Jesus appeared dead to God when He took on our sin before dying. Jesus cried out when He lost His connection to Father God. We have that same disconnect and only Jesus can reconnect it. Jesus resurrected has conquered all and is alive by His Father’s side, where we can be too.

God created us and He longs to bring us back into the family. Our spirit longs to connect with Him again. Don’t fill that longing with worldly things that keep fading away and disappointing. All you have to do is accept Jesus and you are saved. Nothing you do will ever meet the requirements, but praise God, Jesus paid the required price.

Again, what are you waiting for? If you feel empty inside without finding the answer, run to Jesus. If you already accepted Jesus and find yourself off track from His Word or simply feeling disconnected, run to Jesus. He will take you in His arms. You will be part of His family for eternity.