Introduction

The following article quite rightly has God’s word from Ephesians chapter 2 as pre-eminent. Then follows a suggested prayer based on that passage. [God’s revealed truths expressed to Him in believing prayer.]

Finally I have added SOME NOTES on the passage to help folk gain an even greater appreciation of what God’s word is saying to people in today’s world.

THE PASSAGE FROM EPHESIANS 2:1-7.

Eph 2:1 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

 A SUGGESTED PRAYER BASED ON EPHESIANS 2:1-7.

“Heavenly Father, We thank You that though we were dead in our sins, You made us spiritually alive in Christ.

We thank You that when we were held in bondage by our three main enemies, You brought us liberty.

• You set us free from the power of the enemy around us, the pressure of the unbelieving world, as we began to trust in You.
• You set us free from the enemy against us, Satan and the powers of darkness, so that we became free to live as You wanted us to live.
• You set us free from the enemy within us, our old nature, so that we could live for You by Your grace and power.  

We thank You too that in Your great love and mercy for us, You made us alive with Christ and made us to sit with Him in the place of honour and acceptance at Your right hand.

We thank You that You have shown us and will continue to show us in the days ahead, just how much You love us.

Accept our grateful thanks for all Your mercies to us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN!”

 SOME NOTES ON THE PASSAGE FROM EPHESIANS 2:1-7

1.]        The Bad  and News About Our Human Situation

Once Spiritually dead in sin! Eph 2:1 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins”

Once Spiritually bound in sin! Controlled by the 3 enemies of humans.

• The World. 2 “in which you once walked, following the course of this world”
• The Devil. “following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—”
• The Flesh. 3 “among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,
• The Result of giving way to the above 3 enemies of humans. God’s revealed assessment! “and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

2.]        The Good News About What God Has Done About Our Human Situation

i]. His motivation for helping us. Mercy. Great Love!

 Eph 2:4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,”

• BUT! Is there a chance something could change our human predicament?
• BUT GOD! Every chance when God is involved!
• GOD IS MERCIFUL. “being rich in mercy!” Mercy, not just pity, but compassion in action.
• GOD IS LOVE! “because of the great love with which he loved us,” Love acted in Jesus.

ii]. His Method for Helping Us [Made Us Alive With! Raised Us Up With! Seated Us With HIM!]

• From spiritual death to spiritual life! Eph 2:5 “[God] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” [Grace, mercy and love acted!] From death to life!
• From spiritual bankruptcy to spiritual authority. Eph 2:6 “and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” God declares that He has identified us with Christ in His death [2 Tim 2:12], burial [Col 2:12], resurrection [Col 2:1] and His sitting at the right hand of God.

iii]. His purpose in helping us

Eph 2:7 “so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” God longs to display His rich gracious kindness to His people to encourage others to recognise His character and to draw upon His mercy and grace.

Blog No.293. Posted on http://www.jimholbeck.blog on Thursday 11^th October 2018