Let's Study Ephesians 0.009

"But God" this phrase sets the stage for the most amazing contrast in all the universe.  The preceding verses describe the sad state of the lost without Christ; The verses that follow are the glorious anthem of redeeming grace.  Not only is our God merciful but He is the God who is "rich in mercy", Not only does He only loves us but He loves us with 'Great Love".

Even when we were dead in sins.  This is not in the future but in the past tense.  Spiritual death is not a pending judgement but a present condition for those who have not yet surrendered to the Savior.  The lost can no more improve his condition through his own efforts than a corpse can raise himself from the dead.   Neither morality, philosophy, nor even religion can reconcile fallen man to His creator. Jesus' voice called, "Lazarus, Come forth!"  In the same way, it is the voice of Christ through the Gospel that raises the spiritually dead to life.  God promised through the prophet, "Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live."

By Grace ye are saved.  Salvation is God's great gift; it is free to us and yet it cost the Savior every drop of His precious blood.  Salvation is the work of God on man's behalf, not the work of man on his own behalf.  Grace means that we can do absolutely nothing to earn God's forgiveness, the hope of heaven, or the gift of eternal life. Grace is simply received by faith, that is by believing the message of the gospel.  Grace is the transforming power of God that turns the sinner into a saint.  Grace has the power to keep us secure in the love of Christ.  Once the wonderful work of grace is begun in the heart, we have God's assurance that He will be faithful to complete it.  As John the apostle wrote, "When we see Him we shall be like Him.'  This is the final, finished product of grace, transformation into the image of Jesus.

He hath raised us up together. Jesus is our proxy or substitute. That is, when He died, we died with Him.  When He rose again, we rose with Him. In His exaltation we are seated with Him.  the Psalmist spoke of the blessedness of those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Jesus sat down when His work of redemption was complete.  As far as our salvation goes, there is nothing for us do but in faith to sit down with Him. Throughout eternity God will show us off as a monument to His kindness. We will forever be trophies of grace.