But God...

March 30, 2006

Ephesians 2:1-10

There is a contrast--in the first three verses it speaks of being dead spiritually. But then in verse four; it says, But God.

He made us alive, raised us up in Christ and seated us in the heavenly realm with Christ (verse 6). That is past tense. Done. When someone is seated it shows authority. Seated shows a finished work. We don't always realize that we have this finished work.

The beginning of Ephesians sets the groundwork for the end (spiritual armour--we studied this earlier: see here here and here). The children of Israel didn't enter into the promised land because of unbelief (Hebrew 3:19).

We will be on display--a showcase (verse 7).

Ephesians 2:10
We are His workmanship...the grace comes first and the works after that.
Good works may not mean the works that we do. (Verse 9)
God is the one doing the works we walk in them. God is the workman, we are the project. He works through us.