With Christ, We Are Spiritually Alive (Eph. 2:4-7)
In Ephesians 2:4-7 Paul describes the character of God, and the work of Christ. It is the “after” picture as a result of God’s gift. “But God…” starts off the text. This is in contrast to the previous verses. Praise God that the text of Paul’s teachings did not end with verse 3.
“God is rich in Mercy.” The Old Testament describes God as rich in faithful love,(Psalm 103:8), as One who delights in faithful love (Micah 7:18). The word “rich” denotes that God never runs out of mercy.
Guy Orbison, Jr. writes, “Because of His Great Love with which He loved us” employs the agape term for love which carries no emotional aspect but means to see the highest good in the object of love and to treat people better than they deserve.”
God showed this great love when we were in our sins. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We have been made alive in Christ. Paul says that we have been seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
That reminds us of Eph. 1:3 where we have been promised all blessing in Christ.
The final work of grace in verse 7 is future oriented. The reason God has showed us such grace is so that we might be the demonstration of His grace forever.
Ponder the idea of grace for “ages to come”. Instead of wrath we have everlasting grace.
Larry Miles is co-editor of Wordandwork.org and attends Cherry St. Church of Christ in
New Albany, IN.