2:1-3 From death… Paul describes us as we were without Jesus: dead. Not just sick or needing a bit of help, but dead. We had given in to the ways of the sinful world, we were followers of the devil in our rebellion, and we repeatedly chose our own sinful passions over anything faithful, true, or good. This is what total depravity looks like: everything tainted by our sin, by our fallenness. And we had no way to rescue ourselves.
2:4-7 …to life! But here’s the great news: God rescued us! Through no merit of our own, without deserving it even a little bit, the Lord shows His love for us by giving us mercy and grace in Jesus Christ. Our salvation – and our new life – is wrapped up in Him. His resurrection is ours, His eternal life is ours, too! In Jesus, we have life, now and forevermore.
The Point: Only by recognizing how dead we were can we truly enjoy and respond to the life we now have in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving us! Thank you even for this picture of how hopeless we were – it’s your love that shows us how much we need Jesus, just as it’s your love that brings us from death to life through the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior and King. Give us joy in what Christ has done!
Application: Do you trust Jesus Christ to give you life? He is our only hope – not ourselves, not anything we can do. Do you agree with Jesus that you need a Rescuer, a Savior, and that He is the One who has done all the work for you?
Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________
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