Ephesians 2:1 - 3
This post is from last week's lesson. Sorry for the mixup. My days have all blended together.
Monday Ephesians 2:1-3
Ephesians 2 - Audio NIV - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Eph.2.1-Eph.2.3
Scripture: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. NIV Bible
Observation: "Trespasses" are lapses; "sins" are shortcomings. Apart from Christ, people are without authentic spiritual life. In this state the most vital part of the human personality is dead; thus people cannot by their own efforts or ingenuity experience fellowship with God or meet His requirements.[HCSB Study notes]
The human condition before Christ [HCSB Study notes]:
Monday Ephesians 2:1-3
Ephesians 2 - Audio NIV - http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Eph.2.1-Eph.2.3
Scripture: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. NIV Bible
Observation: "Trespasses" are lapses; "sins" are shortcomings. Apart from Christ, people are without authentic spiritual life. In this state the most vital part of the human personality is dead; thus people cannot by their own efforts or ingenuity experience fellowship with God or meet His requirements.[HCSB Study notes]
The human condition before Christ [HCSB Study notes]:
| Old Life (vv. 1-3) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We were Dead Now | ||||||||||||||||||||
| We were Enslaved | ||||||||||||||||||||
| We were Objects of Wrath | ||||||||||||||||||||
| We walked Among the Disobedient | ||||||||||||||||||||
We were Under Satan's Dominion
Application: Immediately after his prayer, Paul reminds the Ephesians of the reality of personal sin. Like them, we must never forget our past, the condition from which Jesus saved us. Those memories are the best fuel for our gratitude to Christ for all he has done on our behalf. The fact that all people, without exception, commit sin proves that without Christ we have a sinful nature. We are lost in sin and cannot save ourselves. Does this mean only Christians do good? Of course not—many people do good to others. On a relative scale, many are moral, kind, and law abiding. Comparing these people to criminals, we would say that they are very good indeed. But on God’s absolute scale, no one is good enough to earn salvation (“dead because of your disobedience and your many sins,” 2:1). Only through being united with Christ’s perfect life can we become good in God’s sight. [NLT Life Application Study Bible notes] Prayer: Father, once I was under your wrath because I followed the cravings of my flesh, following its thoughts and desires. When I remember that I have been delivered through the sacrifice of Messiah, I am thankful. I am thankful that you saved me when I could not save myself. In Jesus name, amen. |
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