The Power of God’s Grace in You

Just as Paul was changed from a persecutor of Christians to a called apostle of Jesus Christ, Ephesians 2 contrasts what we once were as sinners to the new creations we are in Christ by the power of God’s grace.

The Necessity of the Power of God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:1)

We were once spiritually dead, separated from God by sin (Ephesians 4:17), powerless to change our position. The power of God’s grace through Christ is a necessity for us to have spiritual life.

The prodigal son, separated from his Father and finding himself destitute and mired in filth, illustrates our spiritual situation without Christ and before the power of God’s grace works in us (Luke 15:11-16).

Paul reminds us that though we were once dead in our sins, we are now alive in Christ, empowered by God’s grace to live in a manner worthy of His calling.

The Certainty of the Power of God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:2)

Paul says we "formerly walked according to the course of this world." The Greek word for "course" can also be translated "age." The idea is that there is a strong, sinister course or flow of the world which seems the priority and is energized by Satan (Ephesians 4:26-27, 6:11).

"Sons of disobedience" is the purpose of the priority of this world and the person of Satan.

God offers life through Christ, but the world put Him to death. God hates sin, but the world celebrates it. God desires humility, but the world exalts pride. God values truth, but the world promotes relativism. God desires purity, but the world indulges in immorality.

The priority and course of this world is not the priority of God. We can be certain of the power of God’s grace at work in us, enabling us to walk in obedience to His ways.

The Efficacy of the Power of God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:3)

Formerly "by nature children of wrath," we are now new creatures in Jesus Christ by the power of God’s grace.

We are no longer enslaved to self-serving passion, "indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind," lost in total depravity. Our loving God gave us Jesus, taking us from spiritual death and saving us from the consequences of our sins, making us spiritually alive in Christ.

It is only when we recognize our spiritual poverty that we will cherish the riches of God’s grace. It is only when we understand the weight of our guilt that we can rejoice in the freeness of our forgiveness. It is only when we recognize the bondage of our sin that we can rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ. It is only when we see our hopelessness that we can grasp the magnitude of God’s mercy and grace. It is only when we understand that we are spiritually dead that we can truly appreciate the gift of eternal life.

Now we who were formally dead are made alive in Christ by the power of God’s grace.

Application Points

• Are you struggling with a specific worry, ailment, or sin? No matter what is going on, the power of God’s grace is at work in you, having already taken you from death to life.
• How are you living? What are the priorities seen by others in your life? Are you living a life of obedience to God? Are you marveling at His great love for you? The priority of a Christian is to be a worshiper of God.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• 1 Corinthians 2:6-8

A Quote to Encourage

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” -- C. S. Lewis

How Can I Keep from Singing

My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die,
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?