First, dead in sin, made alive with Christ (1-7). Man without God is dead in sin even though they don't know it yet. We were all like this, deserving of wrath: God's judgment on sin. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ. He raised us up from the dead in Christ, and when we are seated with him in heavenly realms, all will see the incomparable riches of his grace, shown throughout the ages in us. Second, we are God's handiwork (8-10). This great grace of God has saved us, and not at all through any work, only through faith. This salvation and hope is the gift of God, not any work that we may boast. Each one's story is God's handiwork. All the work we do in Christ Jesus, expanding his kingdom and serving his church, preaching the gospel to the lost, is just what God created us to do, and we can be sure he has prepared us in advance for this task.
Application: Father, I was dead in sin and by grace you saved me. Thank you! Help me do the works you created me to do by faith.
One Word: Created in Christ Jesus to do good works