Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

Christians have received every spiritual blessing through Christ (1:3). God’s ultimate purpose is to transform the whole cosmos (1:9–10). This takes great power – the transforming power seen in the resurrection, ascension and enthronement of Christ (1:19–23). Paul now wants to help us understand that this power is at work in our lives as individuals (2:1–10) and corporately in the church (2:11–22). 

Before we can grasp the amazing scope and power of God’s grace, we must understand the depths of our need. Paul paints a very grim picture of all humans without Christ (vv. 1–3). Before we were saved, three things were true of us:

We were dead (v. 1). We were severed from the life of God. When Adam sinned, he began to die physically (Gen. 2:16–17; 5:3–5). Physical death is the common experience of every one of us. We are dust and we return to the dust (Gen. 3:19). But there is a deeper dimension to our dilemma. When Adam sinned, he died spiritually. He had walked in close fellowship with God – the essence of life. He now hid from God (Gen. 3:6–11) and was banished by God (Gen. 3:23). Like Adam, we are severed from the life of God like a cut flower. Our spiritual death is caused by our transgressions (deliberately breaking God’s law) and sin (falling short of God’s glory, Rom. 3:23). 

We were enslaved (vv. 2–3). We were captives imprisoned by forces we couldn’t overcome. The world left us oblivious to God (v. 2). The devil kept us bound in sin and separated from God (v. 2). Like someone addicted to drugs, our sinful nature swamped our minds with unrestrained passions (v. 3). Spiritually we were helpless. 

We were condemned (v. 3). We were all under God’s wrath – His settled, righteous and consistent hatred to all that defies His will, spoils His creation and destroys our well-being. It was our greatest danger (Rom. 1:18–20). We were heading towards the day of judgement when nothing would stand between us and the anger of the Judge (Rev. 6:15–17). We often forget how hopeless our situation really was. Have you trusted in Christ to rescue you from this dire situation? If you have, why is it important that we reflect on our former condition?

Reflection

Understanding the depths of our need will cause us to be grateful about the heights of our blessings. Compare this section with David’s experience described in Psalms 32 and 51.