Who We Are

If you didn't read yesterday's post "Who We Were", read that first then come back and read "Who We Are." Not that I think I'm such an accomplished writer, I just want you to catch the theme of this text.

We were dead in sin "BUT" Ephesians 2:4-7 starts to show us God's rich mercy and great love which made us "alive together in Christ." By grace we are saved. This is an amazing thought. Again, we are shown God's power over death. We were dead in our trespasses and sin. We are alive because of God's mercy and love. Well all of that is amazing, but there's even more to our resurrection.

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. Wow! Not only did he save us from our sins but He rewards us with a seat in heaven with Him. What a great God, merciful and loving, nothing I deserve; I was dead in my sins. I don't have power over death, only God does. He called me out of death by His mercy, by His love.

Now, why would he do this? I've heard of some people believing it's because we chose to believe. And since God promised to save us if we believed, our choice saved us and gave us this gift. While some of that may sound true and accurate, this puts the power over death in our hands. And that's not the case. No human has power over death. (I'm sure some doctors would like to think they do. They don't.) Here it is in this passage. The second word is "GOD." Re-read the passage. It's God who saves us. God made us alive. By HIS grace we are saved.

Back to my "why" question. Because, verse 7 tells us, "in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." It's done by Him to glorify Himself. If we made the choice, would he deserve all the glory? No, we would think we gained life from our decision. We didn't. We couldn't. Sins hold on us is as strong as death. Once you're dead, that's it. Unless you have that required power over death. You and I don't. God does. God saved us from sin. God made us alive. God be glorified for our resurrection from the death we all faced because of our trespasses and sin. It is only by His mercy and love that we are saved.

Praise God for His Rich Mercy and Great Love.
Praise God for His Grace.