Saved and Made Alive in Christ

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 2:4-5

It (and must be) is no surprise that when we talk about God’s abundant and amazing grace, we cannot exclude talking about the salvation that we have because of God Himself. In fact, we cannot even talk about genuine or real Christianity without talking about being saved by God’s grace! This salvation is not just a future state, though this can be expressed theologically by saying already but not yet. As we live between these two sure realities, we are experiencing the continuous work of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the Promised Spirit – Holy Spirit. Part of our salvation is becoming alive together with Christ, our greatest portion! And this happened because God is very rich in mercy, with the great love with which He loved us in Christ Himself.

In continuation, let us not forget to connect this with the previous texts – we were dead in our trespasses, intrinsically rebellious towards God, and helplessly enslaved by the one who opposes God – Satan! Meaning, we are totally incapable of escaping the penalty, power and even presence of our sins. And this is our previous state, before we were sought and saved by the Lord! And now, even though God Himself can justly condemn us, He bestowed great mercy because of His great love: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (vv.4-5)”. In understanding the mercies of God that never ends, and the everlasting love of God in Christ which has no beginning nor end, flows within His very nature, and is bestowed by His very own will. It is not something that is earned by our efforts or merits, or something influenced by our own so-called beauty, rather, this is a display of His boundless mercies and steadfast love for those who are dead in their trespasses, intrinsically rebellious towards Him, and totally hopeless and helplessly enslaved by God’s enemy – Satan. In being saved by God means being made alive together in Christ. A spiritually dead person must be made alive by God Himself. Salvation therefore, brings spiritual life to a dead sinner! And the power that raises a believer out of death and makes him/her alive is the same power that brings sure enablement to every aspect of new life in Christ.

What must be done now, dear saint, after knowing this reality – God’s mercies? I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Also remember the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

God’s never-ending mercies and steadfast love must be enough to propel and compel us to live out our new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember, dear saint, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. If you are in Christ, you are not dead anymore in your sin! Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.

Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!

Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!

Take heart, dear saint!

Reflect

1. Do you find the motivation to live out your new life in Christ in God’s mercy and great love?

2. Do you neglect God’s mercy and great love by still lingering to your own embraced sins?

3. Do you grow in need of His grace?

4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?

Remember

Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!

Pray

Father in Heaven, I come before You as Your child, in the name of Your Son, to bless, praise, and thank You for Your mercies and great love with which You have loved me, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, for You have made me alive in Your Son, and saving me by Your grace. May You grant me to continually grow in Your grace, and may I never stop seeing the need for Your abundant and amazing grace, until I acclaim with Your servant, that Your grace is sufficient for me. This I pray, in His name. Amen.