A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Marilyn Bennett
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:1-3
In these verses, Paul describes a world where there is no life because humans are following one who is anti-God, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” In this world, we are controlled by “the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind.” We were “by nature, children of wrath, like all humans. Did God create us this way? No, we turned against God to follow our own passions.
BUT GOD!
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Here, Paul contrasts all WE DO with all GOD DOES FOR US. So important is this truth that Paul restates it in verses 5-6 and again in verses 7, 8, and 9.
To launch this contrast, Paul says, “BUT GOD.” Those two words mark out a great chasm, a great divide, the Grand Canyon of faith. Although we want to make it right with God, we have no ability to do so. Only GOD can make It right for us.
Paul tells us GOD has done three marvelous things:
- Made us alive together with Christ.
- Raised us up with Christ.
- Seated us with Christ in the heavenly places.
The reason why is that, “GOD, being rich in mercy and because of His great love with which He loved us.”
Many have a different view of God. They think of God as the…
- God who hates us and wants to see us miserable.
- God who loves to trip us up.
- God who makes us sick and causes us to die.
- God who hurts us just because He can.
Who is the GOD you believe in?
I believe in the GOD who is rich in mercy and who loves us with His great love. THIS GOD brings LIFE. And God does this “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
How do I know I can believe in THIS GOD? Because THIS GOD sent His Son (Himself) to die an agonizing death on a cross for my sins. THIS GOD determined from the beginning that my sins could be made right. THIS GOD decided that all humans have the opportunity to be covered by God’s own righteousness when we realize there Is no way to cover ourselves.
Humans are more than imperfect. Every living human being is a sinner from birth and must be saved by God.
Jesus said “For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD…HE GAVE his ONLY begotten SON, that WHOSOEVER believes (trusts) in Him WILL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE” (John 3:16).
Have you put your trust in THAT GOD, the GOD of love and mercy?
Now this everlasting life is not a life of more pain and sorrow. That life will pass away. A new life will emerge, one of rare beauty because it will flow directly from God without interference from “the prince of the power of the air.” Paul gives it away in the second half of Ephesians 2:5 ”(But God) raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ.” Do you notice that Paul states this reality in the past tense meaning it’s already done. We have direct access to the Father GOD now. We are seated WITH HIM in the throne room of the Almighty now. When we trust God (believe), God makes good on His promises.
How amazing is THIS GOD who designs a world where I can live with others like me, work with others like me, enjoy life with others like me, suffer with others like me, and give hope to others like me.
of the Although we live in the miserable world of Ephesians 2:1-3, God designed a way out, a better way of faith. And because we live in this miserable world where the anti-God rules, we are able to fully appreciate the better way that God offers and put our trust in him.
One last bit of good news. In the end, Satan will be destroyed and GOD WILL RULE HIS KINGDOM where there will be no tears. I am looking forward to the reign of the peace of GOD, are you?
