Before meeting Christ personally, we were all dead in our sins, following the ways of the world around us. We were all rebellious to God, living under the power of the devil, the ruler of this world, and according to the cravings of our flesh. Either we broke his laws or omitted his commands. Thus, we were destined for destruction.

Verses 4-5 say, "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." How powerful is this declaration of God's love for his lost creation? In his mercy, I am made alive in Christ! The old me is dead, and the new me is alive!

Moreover, we are raised with Christ and showered with the riches of his grace in the heavenly realms. This is Christ's kindness. It is all Him, God's gift to us! It's nothing that I have done. The only thing there is for me to do now are the good works which God has prepared in advance for me to do. It is the opposite of what I was – only by Jesus' grace!


Application: Father, thank you for saving me by Jesus' grace alone, freeing me from my transgressions, and making me alive in Christ, empowered to do good works which you have prepared for me to do.
One Word: Made alive in Christ to do good works