Two of the most important words in Scripture - "But God ..." After describing the life that comes with living at a distance from God - the walking dead - Paul introduces the reality of how God perceives us in a walking dead state. It is clear that while we were still sinners - God loved us in Christ and willed that we be restored to our new humanity. We began this thought last week and will continue it tonight. Realizing what God has done in Christ, and based solely on His love for us and not on what we done brings an overwhelming sense of our identity before God: objects of His love.
We need God so desparately because on our own we are lost, broken, corrupt and unable to rescue ourselves or restore ourselves back to our true humanity. Its no wonder then that Paul in all his letters points out how important it is to live our lives out according to the Spirit or "by the Spirit" because it is the Spirit that helps us maintain the new humanity. We need Him to help us put on the character of Christ and put off that which is from the walking dead life. It is as much a daily decision as it is a one time commitment to live for Christ and embrace the new humanity.
We will finish up chapter two and move into chapter three next week where we will see Paul speak of the open access to God that we now have because of Christ bringing us all together in one new humanity. Paul will marvel at what God has done through Him and for us and he will pray for more of the Spirit and more of Christ in us. Paul knew all too well how important it is to lean on the Spirit for our Christian walk and our existence as God's community. We will look at home important and profound this is in our class next week.
Powerpoint:
Ephesians Chapter Two
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