EPHESIANS 2:1-10
After being ruled legally dead, can a man still claim to be alive? When a man who had been reported missing for more than 25 years turned up in fine health, the question gained attention on a global scale. He was unemployed, abusing drugs, and severely behind on his child support payments at the time of his disappearance. He thus made the decision to hide. But when he returned, he realised how difficult it is to come back from the dead. The judge denied the man’s request to appeal the court’s decision declaring him legally dead, citing a three-year time limit for doing so.
It turns out that God frequently experiences situations like that unexpected request from a human court. Paul writes in his epistle to the Ephesians that even though we were spiritually dead, God raised us up with Christ (Ephesians 2:1,5). But for God, proclaiming us and giving us spiritual life was a very painful thing. Because of our sin and the resulting spiritual death, God’s Son had to go through pain, death, and resurrection (vv. 4–7).
Having tangible proof of bodily life is one thing. To demonstrate signs of spiritual life is our task. We are obligated to live in thanksgiving for the countless acts of compassion and life that have been extended to us since being pronounced alive in Christ.
🙏🏻 Father, may we live joyfully and with unending appreciation for what You did to give us life through Jesus Christ.
