Made Alive in Christ

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
~Ephesians 2:1-10


As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. You were under the influence of Satan.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Not just you, but everyone...including the people who sit in the pews.

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Yep, even the ones who sit in their pews/auditoriums/stadiums of organized/disorganized religion.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. God loves us, God loves you. God is merciful. He saved you.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Metaphysics 101 - you, saved, are with Him in heaven - connected. Now. In heaven. You.

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. We have Jesus to thank.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. It was NOTHING you did, no acts of kindness, no good behaviour, no ritual, or otherwise saved your sinning butt from spending all of eternity separated from God (a state of existence otherwise known as "hell"). God gave you this gift and you received it - you believed. (You have Jesus to thank.)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God made us, shaped us, and has a purpose for us. He knows what we desire and what we need better than we do and now He wants us to listen to Him and follow His lead. This does require some work, some effort on our behalf. He is in control though - He has brought you this far when you were unaware of Him, and now He is going to take you somewhere where you have longed to go...for sooo long. He has this plan for you. You need to work with Him to see, for yourself, this plan manifested.

Did you get that from the above scripture too? Let me know if you didn't.