Ephesians 2:1-10

Made Alive in Christ!!
The plan of God is one of greatness and perfection. I enjoy these first opening verses (1-10) because humbles me deeply. I "was dead in" my "trangressions" and followed a leader of sin, but because Jesus died I am able to choose him. Live for him, and because I love him, he decides by grace that I may live in eternity with him. Cant get more lucky than that! I like how us sinners are described - "we were by nature objects of wrath." Makes me feel like junk. Continuing to put me in my place, and God in his place of righteousness.
Then vs. 4-5, "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." The second chance that God gives us is incredible. Unfortunately, I sometimes reason stupidly and say, well of course we is going save us, he created us, he cant just let us die. Haha, but why not? He essentially does not need us, by theology, the trinity is all the praise it really needs. It is perfect from every angle, the last thing it needs is the waivering heart of a human. Yet, by grace, he chooses me even after every fault and sin I commit. One day I hope this hits as hard as it should and I am humbled and cry for days!
From there it continues on with God's plan of raising up his son from the grave and allowing us beleivers to do the same. Then once again in vs. 8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, though faith..." By grace the option of salvation is provided by his son Jesus, through faith we decide to take that option. That path is a gift and through the action of faith we open the door and start to walk down that path.
It is not by works, which I often struggle with. As I attempt to "save the day" by helping out somewhere or the good old daily deed. This may have impact on my faith in a positive way, but it does not make up my faith, for it is not by works but by the matter of my heart.
James 2 jumps into this big time, and describes exactly what I am trying to say.
Anyways back to Ephesians 2, vs.10 concludes this section by bringing all power and majesty to the Lord by telling everyone: you are created by God to worship him at all times. We were created to do so, "prepared" to worship him 100% of our days.
woooooooooooo Ephesians!!! woooooooohoooo Paul!!! Im enjoying this.

Graham Reimer

p.s. I used Ephesians 1:15-23 for the bbc paper I am working on.