Ephesians 2 v 1 - 10 - Amazing Grace

Okay, so in chapter one Paul is talking all about the plans and purpose of God with Christ as the head and all for God's glory. Chapter 2, is the steps in which God will accomplish his purposes, starting with salvation of individuals. 

v1-2
We were all dead in our sins, in the way we used to live. Our spiritual condition, and the fact we were spiritually dead meant that we were separated from God. 

Colossians 2v13 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins.

Ephesians 2v 11-13 - Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body of human hands) - remember that at that tie you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Romans 11v30 - Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience

1 Corinthians 6v11 - And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Christ and by the Spirit of our God 

Colossians 3v7 - You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 

Titus 3v3-5 - At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 

So, as you can see there is quite a bit in the bible about this :P They used to follow the ways of the world and they used to follow Satan who is at work in those who are disobedient. the Ephesians were really wicked people and their nature was evil. 

v3
We lives among them at one time, gratifying our cravings and desires. We deserved the wrath and angry of God. We as Christians are also really sinful and we are punishable by God. But our ending is different to non Christians. No sinful man can escape of God's wrath and anger, and those who are not saved will have to face this wrath. 

v4-5
BUT, the massive but, God has amazing love, rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even whilst we were dead in sin  because of the grace we have received. This is the ending we will receive, because God isn't angry at us because we have accepted God and all that he has done for us! 

v6-7
God has raised us up, to sit with Christ and in the future, and to demonstrate his grace for future demonstrations - 1st purpose in saving us. 


v8-10
Because it's grace that has saved us, not through our good works but through faith that ultimately is from God. We therefore can't boast, because it's nothing we have done. We are God's work and he's created us for some reason and made us part of his kingdom for some reason, to do good works. This is how Christianity differs, we don't have to do any good works, pray a certain amount of times a day or anything to get to heaven. Only through Christ's death are we free and blameless and can be seated with God. God has saved us so that we do good works - 2nd purpose of saving us. 

Luce's song of the day: Casting Crowns - Who Am I? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBcqria2wmg
"Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are"