How He Works in Us Before & After Salvation
October 24, 2019
Commentary
Paul paints two clear pictures in this passage—one of life before Christ (vv. 1–3) and one after Christ (vv. 4–7). Then he brings both together (vv. 8–10) to show God’s purpose for our transformation.
In the first three verses, Paul gives the “before” picture of an unsaved person. First, he is dead (v. 1). A corpse cannot hear or respond to what hap-pens around it. In the same way, a person who is spiritually dead has no ap-petite for God’s Word. All lost sinners are equally dead, whether poor or pow-erful—no corpse can be deader than others.
Second, he is disobedient (vv. 2–3a). Three main forces lead people to disobey God: the world, which pressures us to follow its values; the flesh, our sinful nature that controls mind and body; and the devil, who wants to make us “children of disobedience.” He rebelled against God and tempts others likewise. With such enemies, sinners cannot overcome sin alone. He stands guilty under God’s judgment (v. 3b).
The “after” picture centers on God. Paul highlights God’s “great love” and “rich mercy” that changed everything. First, we are made alive (vv. 4–5). Once dead, now alive in Christ—this is our testimony. Salvation is by grace, as Paul later says, “By grace you have been saved” (vv. 8–9). Second, we are raised with Christ (v. 6). Just as God raised Jesus and seated Him in power (1:20–21), He lifted us to share His victory, showing “the incomparable riches of His grace” (v. 7).
Finally, we are God’s workmanship (v. 10). Works cannot save us or earn God’s favor, but they are the natural result of new life in Christ. We are not saved by works but for works, created in Christ Jesus to do the good things God prepared for us to accomplish.
Application
Do I remember who I was before Christ saved me? Sometimes I still act as if I am spiritually weak or trapped in old ways. How can I live today as someone made alive and raised with Christ? I want to thank God for His mercy and show my faith through good works that reflect the new life He has given me.
Ephesians 2:4–10 (NET)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, 5 even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved! — 6 and he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.
Two kinds of people
My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there. (Indira Gandhi, Bits and Pieces, April 1990, p. 11). … Continue