As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.
Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:1–10
There’s a powerful contrast in Ephesians 2 that is easy to read quickly but impossible to forget once it sinks in.
The Holy Spirit begins with hard truths about all of us:
We were dead in our sins.
We followed the ways of this world and the spirit of disobedience.
We gave in to the cravings of our flesh and its desires.
We were, by nature, deserving of wrath.
That’s not an easy thing to hear. But who could disagree?
But the Holy Spirit doesn’t stop there.
In fact, after laying out the truth of our nature, He offers one of the most hope-filled phrases in Scripture:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.
Everything changes with God’s great love:
The dead become alive.
Wrath becomes mercy.
Condemnation becomes grace.
Bondage becomes freedom.
Despair becomes hope and purpose.
It’s an entire transformation—rooted not in our goodness or effort, but in God’s great love.
Death to life! All due to one reality: God’s great love for us.
So today, take a moment to read again the contrast in the life of those who believe: Death to Life.
And remember who deserves all the credit for it: God, and God alone.
Let that truth today humble you, encourage you, and fill you with gratitude.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your great love and mercy. Thank You for rescuing me from death and giving me new life in Christ. Help me to live today in light of all You’ve done. Amen.