In The Word
Read: Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In scripture, there are keys words that sometimes we can read over too quickly. Two examples of that in this chapter are “were” and “formerly.” Upon salvation, we are made alive in Christ and resurrected into the newness of life as we are born again. Scripture tells us that we “were” dead in our sins and we “formerly” lived in lust of the flesh and desires of our minds. That tells us that when we are born again, living in sin should be a thing of the past.
We cannot accept the deception of our Americanized church culture that says we can live life how we choose and that God is okay with it. That is completely contrary to what God wants and why His son died. That kind of attitude completely grieves the Holy Spirit. Sometimes when Christians stand up and try to apply all of God’s truth in their lives they are labeled as “radical.” Truth be told through scripture that Jesus Christ gave us the perfect “radical” example of Christianity.
Take time today to look at God’s Word as the standard and as a mirror. Reflect and see if God agrees with how you treat others, speak to your spouse, deal with your anger, speak about others, treat your children, spend time with Him, etc. Would He be pleased with the words that leave your mouth, or the movies and television shows you watch? Ultimately, we should please God with our lives, but if we happen to stumble, let us repent to Him, get back up, and from it, learn and grow.