Last week we studied Ephesians 1 and we learned how much God wants us to be with Him. If you need a refresher, go back and reread the last two blogs and see who we become when we follow hard after Jesus. Our identity goes from obscurity to being acknowledged and seen by the King of kings where we receive abundantly from our Father in Heaven.
Today, we are continuing on in understanding our identity as we seek Jesus whole-heartedly. Go ahead and read Ephesians 2:1-10. I want you to get excited for we are going to discover that we become royalty when we follow Christ and obey God.
ASK YOURSELF: From verse 1, what are the reasons why we are dead spiritually? For added insight, read Romans 3:23.
We all start out on the wrong side of God. It is because of sin. Notice how Paul uses past tense when he says we used to live in sin.2 When we say yes to Christ, we are transferred over to the Kingdom of God.
God makes us alive in Christ.
God takes the blood of Christ and washes us white as snow. Look at Isaiah 1:18-20. God is calling us, “Come, now, let’s settle this.” It is time, especially in 2020, to stop living with divided hearts.
Look at what God does for us, “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” God takes us from guilty because of sin to being acquitted because of His love and grace towards us. We do see that God does carry a condition, “If you will only obey Me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.”
ASK YOURSELF: What is God saying to you from the Isaiah verses?
ASK YOURSELF: What do you learn about the devil and yourself from verses 2-3? How does God feel towards this?
Despite the devil and sin, along with God’s anger, God gives us a way of escape. It is because He is rich in mercy. His love goes beyond anything we can fathom.
God’s love is never deterred by our sins. He will love us forever.
ASK YOURSELF: According to verses 5-6, what does God do for us?
It is only by God’s grace that we have been saved!
Pay attention to how we are royalty when we follow Jesus. God will use us as examples for future generations.7 We are living examples for others to see God for themselves. We do this by living out the Bible. We are to show grace and kindness because that is what we were shown by God and His Son.
We read in verse 8, God saved you by His grace; it is a gift from God. Paul is wanting us to understand that receiving salvation is not a reward for doing good things. Paul speaks of this in Romans 7:18. He shares the struggles he has with sin. “And I know that nothing good lives within me, that is, in my sinful nature.”
God made life to be one of dependence; dependence on Him.
ASK YOURSELF: Look at verse 10, how does God see His child who has been created anew by His Son?
God is saying that we are more beautiful than an exquisite piece of art. We are more valuable than the Salvator Mundi painting by Leonardo da Vinci. It is the most expensive painting in the world. Want to know what it is of? Jesus. He is holding a crystal orb. (taken from wealthygorilla.com; The 20 Most Expensive Paintings In The World by Matt McIntyre)
I don’t know about you, but I think that it is pretty impressive. The most expensive masterpiece in the world is of Jesus. The top, best-selling book is the Bible. Globally, Jesus’ birth and death are recognized as major holidays. The calendar that we follow originates from Jesus’ birth. Christianity is the largest religious group in the world.
ASK YOURSELF: What is God saying to you knowing these impressive facts?
I am hoping that God is drawing you into His arms. I pray that you are looking up and desiring to know Jesus more and more. God wants you. He wants you to follow hard after His Son. He wants you to embrace the love that He has for you. He is anticipating that you are going to jump in all the way and allow Jesus and the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out.
You are worth it!
Carol J German 