“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV
In verse 4 we read two wonderful words, “But God”.
Praise God for the “But God’s” in the Bible.
“But God, being rich in mercy” Ephesians 2:4 ESV
The word “rich” means incredibly wealthy.
The word “mercy” means to have pity on those who are in distress and be moved with compassion towards those who are under His wrath.
God is a God who is rich in mercy.
“because of the great love with which he loved us” Ephesians 2:4 ESV.
Because of His exceedingly vast love by which He loved us, God has saved us from our state of depravity.
In Ephesians Chapter 1, we read of God’s electing love, His predestinating love, His redeeming love, His forgiving love and sealing love.
“even when we were dead in our trespasses.” Ephesians 2:5 ESV
While we were dead in our trespasses, God did three things for us:
1) God made us alive together with Christ – Vs 5. This refers to the doctrine of regeneration where God changes the heart to make it willing and able to receive Christ. When God makes us alive with Christ Paul means that God brings us into a mystical union with Christ. This refers to the new birth, being born from above by the work of the Holy Spirit. God gives us spiritual life from the dead. We become alive to the things of God.
Paul equates this to a spiritual resurrection from the dead.
2) Secondly, what God did for us, is mentioned in Verse 6.
“God has raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. We have been lifted up to the heights of heaven. Since we have been united with Christ, we are seated with Him in the heights of heaven.
3) Paul then adds a third thing that God has done for us. We are positionally seated with Christ at His throne at the right hand of God the Father. This is an extraordinary work of grace. We have been raised from the pit of hell to the highest heaven and seated on the throne with Christ.
Christian, do not underestimate this wonder of grace! Do not live below your privilege level in Christ.
No one, except the Christian, has started out so low and been brought to a position so high. It is all a work of God.
We have been raised from death to life. We have been raised from transgressions to a throne.