‘And you (belivers) He made alive, who were (past tense) dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.’

Ephesians 2:1-3

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul reminds believers of the spiritual helplessness they faced before they were redeemed by God. The apostle Paul paints a clear picture of the hopeless state all believers were in prior to believing the gospel but by the power of the gospel we have salvation. Let’s read Romans 1:16;

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ‘

Romans 1:16

Paul describes the lost person as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” This means that they have no relationship with God, separated from God because of sin (Old Adam or our sin nature). They are also in spiritual bondage to Satan, controlled by the prince of the power of the air. Finally, they are rebellious by nature, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and children of wrath.

However, despite their spiritual helplessness, Paul reminds us that God has quickened us, giving us new life and transforming us from the inside out. He has redeemed us from our bondage to sin and Satan (Colossians 1:13), and has made us new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We no longer live according to the course of this world, but according to God’s will and plan for our lives.

This passage is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the gospel of grace. It reminds us that even though we were once helpless and hopeless and separated from God, the gospel has the power to transform our lives and give us hope. We can do nothing but praise Him for His matchless grace, now and forever.

Devotional for the Day:

Dear God, I am in awe of your grace and the power it has to transform my life. I am grateful for the reminder that I was once dead in trespasses and sins, but that you quickened me and gave me new life in Christ. Help me to live each day in gratitude for your incredible grace, and to share this message of hope “the gospel” with others. Amen.