I am Alive

Ephesians 2:1-13

We were Dead? (v1-3)

Once you were dead doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

We are alive! (v4-7)

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life hen he raised Christ form the dead. ( it is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms-all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

We have been given a gift. (v8-10)

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift form God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

We must remember where we came from (v11-13)

Don't forget what you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called"the uncircumcised ones" by the jews, who were proud of the circumcision, eve though it affected only their bodies and not Israel, and you did not know the promises god had made to them. You lived in this world with out God and without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. THough you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.