Ephesians 2 is one of my favorite chapters of Paul's writings! It encapsulates a breathtaking sweep of what God has done in the lives of His people - and how.
First let's look at the effects. Beginning in verse 1, Paul explains:
a. The believers in Ephesus were once dead in their sins, followers of Satan. In fact, everyone was just like that at one time - lost and following their own sinful nature.
b. All these were saved and made alive with Christ. We are raised up with Christ and seated with him in heaven.
a. There was once a separation between the uncircumcised Gentiles and God (His people, His covenant, His Christ). There was a dividing wall of hostility.
b. Now they have been brought near and reconciled through the blood of Christ. The barrier has been destroyed, abolished through the cross, and we have one new man out of two (Gentile and Jew).
a. The Gentiles were once aliens and foreigners.
b. Now they are fellow citizens with God's people, and members of the Church, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
These are the effects - now what is the cause of them? Is it the Gentiles' good behavior and efforts to save themselves?
No, the cause is God's Love - specifically, His Grace.
vs. 4: "Because of his great love for us..."
vs. 5: "It is by grace you have been saved."
vs. 7: "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."
vs. 8: "For it is by grace you have been saved...it is the gift of God..."
We certainly have a lot to be thankful for (the effects). And let's not forget the reason why - God's grace! (the cause!)
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