But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:4-5 NABRE
Paul is writing to the community at Ephesus about the greatness of God’s power manifest in Jesus’ resurrection, ascension and enthronement. Paul goes on to explain how the power has affected “us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19) to save us from the human predicament. The section with the quoted verse opens by describing the conditions that are apart from Christ. We were dead from transgressions and sins, following the culture, an evil social milieu, the power of Satan, who until Christ came, exercised broad power in the world and still has power over the disobedient, those how do not follow the message of God. Paul speaks about impulses and desires, meaning the fallen human nature in its condition of disordered desires and thoughts. But God is rich in mercy, through His good will and kindness God helps us who are in need. God helps because He loves, He cherishes us, cares for us, is self-giving, putting us even before His own desires. God proves His love for us, even while we are still sinners, still dead from transgressions we are brought to life with Christ. Grace, God’s unmerited gift has saved us. God rescued us, all the problems described in humanity we are saved from by God’s rescue. We are saved, past tense, a past that continues in the present and the future.
We still have the tendency towards our sinful nature, we still can come under the influence of the sin of our milieu, even included in sin committed by society, as in times of war, death penalty, etc. But, God loves us so much we have power in God to be rescued.
Do you depend on God to overcome temptation? Are you grateful for God’s mercy?
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