We were once dead ∙

We were once dead ∙

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. – Ephesians 2:1

Ephesians 2:1-10

 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.

 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The word cancer often elicits tremendous fear and dread. In fact, our immune systems are designed to deal effectively with cancer. When a person’s immune system is robust, the body deals with and destroys cancer cells daily. However, when the immune system is compromised, cancer can grow and become life-threatening.

Normal cells have a built-in termination date. When they are no longer needed, they commit suicide. This is also called Programmed Cell Death (PCD). Some cells are abnormal and do not die off. Rather they continue to divide and multiply ad infinitum. The term cancer is used to describe such cells. They are simply abnormal cells that continue to grow and grow, and never die off.

Individuals diagnosed with cancer, realize they are ill, and left untreated will probably die. But in the 21st century, with a diagnosis in the early stages of cancer, and proper treatment, survival is possible.

Sadly, many people think of sin in much the same way they think of the early stages of cancer. They may be ill, but they will probably survive.

But the Bible does not describe sin in this way. The Scriptures never describe people with sin as being ill and treatable. The Scriptures do not even describe sin as a mortal illness that will eventually lead to death. This may surprise you. But what comes next is even more surprising.

All of the descendants of Adam and Eve are fallen creatures and inherit human sin in the same way they acquire DNA from their parents. When they inherit sin they inherit death!

Ephesians 2:1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

Perhaps one day, medical science will find a cure for cancer. But there is absolutely nothing that sinful people can do to cure sin. It may sound very strange, but at the moment we are born and breathe our first breath of life, we are already dead.

What people could never accomplish; the Father God has accomplished!

Ephesians 2:4-5

 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

That is one of the awesome miracles that the Father has done on behalf of each child of the King and explained in His word. Why would the Father do such a remarkable thing for us? It was part of His plan for all children of the King from the beginning.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has mapped out a spiritual path for every child of the King to follow. It is our responsibility to allow Him to show us His path for us. We need only accept His path as our path.

Father thank You that although I was completely dead in my sins and transgressions, You chose to make me alive. Help me to see myself as You see me, a masterpiece in the making.

INSIGHT

But there’s more. The Father has great dreams and plans for all children of the King. Now that we are alive, He is at work in us to fulfill those dreams and plans. He never makes mistakes! Oftentimes, it may seem that way to us but, but that’s only the way it seems. “God doesn’t make junk” (Ethel Waters).

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The word translated as masterpiece, handiwork, or more commonly workmanship, comes from the Greek noun poiema. It is derived from the Greek verb poieo, a very common word translated to do or make. The English word “poem” is derived from this Greek word. Each of us is one of His poems.

When the Father looks at each child of the King, He sees the finished product of His artistic creativity. On planet Earth, we are a work in progress. But from His perspective, His work is already finished and we are a completed masterpiece, a work of art. The Father is the great master artist and each of us while on earth, is one of His unfinished canvases.

But to what end? The Father has a purpose for each of His spiritual poems, His works of art. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10

Our task is to do good all the days of our lives. Because of our new life in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are now the “living dead.” As such we are to do good for the benefit of others and the Father’s kingdom. That is exactly what He is equipping us to do.

From the Father’s eternal perspective, His work in us is already finished and our work for Him is already completed.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 2-04-2

© Dr. H 2022