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- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 17,518
7 May 2007
Ephesians 2:1-3
In the past you were spiritually dead because of your sins and the things you did against God. Yes, in the past you lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth. That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God. In the past all of us lived like them, trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted. We should have suffered God's anger because of the way we were. We were the same as all other people.
The great thing about the writing in this passage is that, right from the start, there's a great sense of hope. Paul, the writer, starts off by stating that because of what Jesus has done, our past life is gone and new life starts here!
He goes on to explain that the very essence of sin is the desire to live "the way the world lives" and that "the ruler of the evil powers" is behind all this. You know, there's much debate as to the existence of Satan (i.e. the devil), but this text is one that clearly shows that he is very real and that this "spirit" is at work in those who aren't interested in God.
And sin? Well, people are so preoccupied with all of the stuff that we consider sinful that it's easy to miss the point. You see, sin is much less about what we do wrong and more about a negative and selfish attitude towards God. It makes you wonder what we've got against God, doesn't it? After all, since time began God has always wanted what's best for us.
The Bible helps us understand that we're all rebellious in nature because of what happened after Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Selfishness is inherent in human nature (check out Romans 3:23!). But the hope we have is that, by his death, Jesus has changed all that. We can have a relationship with God - and forgiveness from sin.
Lord, thank you that you loved the world so much that you sent Jesus to put an end to sin and death. Help me to understand that you want what's best for me. Help me to accept your forgiveness and live in hope. Amen.
Written by Richard Prescott
Ephesians 2:1-3
In the past you were spiritually dead because of your sins and the things you did against God. Yes, in the past you lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth. That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God. In the past all of us lived like them, trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted. We should have suffered God's anger because of the way we were. We were the same as all other people.
The great thing about the writing in this passage is that, right from the start, there's a great sense of hope. Paul, the writer, starts off by stating that because of what Jesus has done, our past life is gone and new life starts here!
He goes on to explain that the very essence of sin is the desire to live "the way the world lives" and that "the ruler of the evil powers" is behind all this. You know, there's much debate as to the existence of Satan (i.e. the devil), but this text is one that clearly shows that he is very real and that this "spirit" is at work in those who aren't interested in God.
And sin? Well, people are so preoccupied with all of the stuff that we consider sinful that it's easy to miss the point. You see, sin is much less about what we do wrong and more about a negative and selfish attitude towards God. It makes you wonder what we've got against God, doesn't it? After all, since time began God has always wanted what's best for us.
The Bible helps us understand that we're all rebellious in nature because of what happened after Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Selfishness is inherent in human nature (check out Romans 3:23!). But the hope we have is that, by his death, Jesus has changed all that. We can have a relationship with God - and forgiveness from sin.
Lord, thank you that you loved the world so much that you sent Jesus to put an end to sin and death. Help me to understand that you want what's best for me. Help me to accept your forgiveness and live in hope. Amen.
Written by Richard Prescott
