SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:1-10

OBSERVATION:
This passage compares what the Ephesians were before they believed (dead in sin, following the ways of world and Satan) and what they became after they believed (loved by God, made alive, saved by grace, raised with Christ, seated in the heavenly realms).
Describes life without God as “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its thoughts and desires”. If we drop the word “sinful”, even non-Christians would probably agree that what drives them “gratifying the cravings of our nature and following its thoughts and desires.” Paul suggests that such a life is DEAD.
“Seated in the heavenly realms” probably means we are now ‘royalty’, though living down here, our official position is children of God, a high and holy status.
We are what we are by grace – not because of our looks, accomplishments, social standing, position of birth, family of origin, skills, talents, smarts, etc. The world measures people by these things, but God raises the weak, the lowly, the insignificant.
God made each one of us to do good works, just like Jesus. We were made to be what Jesus was.

APPLICATION:
What is life like for those who do not believe – is it as bad as the Bible makes it sound?
What is life like for those who do believe – is it as good as the Bible makes it sound?
Do I see my life-purpose as gratifying my own desires or as doing good, serving God and others?
Mary did not gratify her own desires when she surrendered to God’s plan to be the mother of Jesus, she gave herself over to God’s good purpose (see Luke 1:26-38).
How do I look at myself, as a child of God created for the purpose of doing good deeds, or as a person with the right and freedom to satisfy my pleasures and desires, to live for myself?
Who are we, why are we here, how should we live?

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to see myself as You see me, a child of God created for a high and holy purpose – doing good works. Help me not to give in to the sinful, selfish desires that constantly pull me to live a self-absorbed, self-destructive life. Amen.