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August 23, 2017

Ephesians 2:1-3

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.

New International Version (NIV)

“What is the cause of death?” We lost my dad’s older brother in Washington this week. Often we wonder when someone dies, “How did it happen? Why did they die?” Physical causes of death can be tricky to discern. The cause of our spiritual death is self-evident. It turns out that our sin is not merely a nuisance. It kills us spiritually. Paul, writing to the believers in Ephesus, reminded them of who they were before Christ. To be clear, they were not just sick in their sin. They were dead when they followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air.

The Ephesians were not alone in their death. Paul owned his sin, too, “All of us also lived among them at one time . . . gratifying the flesh and following its desires and thoughts.” The consequence of sin is severe: “Like the rest we were deserving of wrath . . .” Paul is writing to Gentiles and acknowledging that he as a Jew also faced the same fate because of his sin.

Already though, Paul intimates that something has changed. “You used to live . . .” He continues, “All of us also used to live . . .” Something has changed in the Ephesians and in Paul. What is it? Paul could say, “I’m not who I ought to be, but I thank God, I’m not who I used to be.” As we continue these verses this week, we will see what Paul saw. Suffice it to say today, we don’t have to stay the way we were. Christ did not come to make bad people good, but to make dead people live. Are you alive? What is the cause of life? Jesus.

Pray with me:

Father, we do not want to dwell for long on who we used to be. Nor do we want to give much attention to who we might have become had we not met you. Show us ourselves and our sin in your word. But please Lord do not leave us there. Show us our Savior in your word. And make this book live to us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses. You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God.

Joyfully,

Duane

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