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EPHESIANS

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Ephesians 2:4-10

4 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”


Made us alive: Those who have believed in Jesus have been made alive with Christ. This new life comes because we are together with Jesus. Our resurrection occurred because of our union with Christ. So often Christians worry about getting closer to God. But the gospel proclaims that we are already close to Christ. We are together with Him. 

Seated: Paul continues teaching about the believer’s closeness to God. Not only are we raised with Christ, but we are seated with Him in the heavenlies. We are seated right next to God. Paul is not teaching a progressive closeness. Believers are as close to Jesus Christ now as we will ever be despite what we may feel. 

For by grace: Grace is more than just forgiveness of sins according to Paul. For Paul, being saved by grace means being made alive and raised with Christ. Grace encapsulates the entirety of salvation.  

Workmanship: We are a piece of God’s spiritual design. We are His workmanship and masterpiece. There is no room in Paul’s theology for Christians viewing themselves as dirty sinners. 

Good works: God has prepared good works for His children to do, but the key is understanding the source of these good works. According to Paul, good works come naturally out of our new identity as alive children of God. The source is our new nature and Christ in perfect union with one another. This is different than performing good works out of religious obligation.

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EPHESIANS

CHAPTERS