Reflections From Ephesiansಮಾದರಿ

Paul speaks of the state we were trapped in before faith in Jesus transferred us into the kingdom of light, having had our sins forgiven. He says that we were dead because of sin and that we were “by nature children of wrath.” In other words, we weren’t simply suffering psychological discord or the victim of our genes. These contribute to who we are, but it is our actions that determine where we are heading - who we are becoming. Are we under the dominion of “the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient,” or are we under the rule of God’s amazing grace?

Due to the nature of the flesh (the inner compulsion to sin and evil) we were dead to God. This isn’t always recognised by believers as we wish for a more benign view of humanity, one in which everyone is searching for God. But Paul debunks this romanticised vision of humankind. He is of the mind that to get to the truth (of God), we must face the truth about ourselves.

Wonderfully, when we accept what scripture states, we become participants in the resurrection power of Jesus so that we are seated in Christ in heavenly places. Our perspective is lifted higher than the realm of human insight and perspective. We get to see in Christ glimpses of what God has prepared in the ages to come - ages filled with the “immeasurable riches of his grace.”

None of this is accomplished by our effort - it is “not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” But we aren’t to stop as passive recipients of God’s grace, because we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” Good works, works of love, are the response of the Christian to God’s love and grace - not the means of obtaining them. But Paul does call them our way of life. Our lives are to be characterised by acts of kindness and mercy. This is the way we live - it shows God has loved us and that we love God. In other words, believing has outcomes - good ones.