Defeating Darkness and Death through Love and Life

Ephesians Series: Ephesians 2:4-5

From death to life

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Ephesians 2:4-5

In the last post, we explored the result of Adam’s sin which led to spiritual and physical death for the human race and a world controlled by satan.

Now, Paul transforms the dismal picture with an exuberant declaration of conviction and power. The story is not over! God has been at work throughout history and, in one stunning episode, brings a decisive victory which radically changes man’s relationship with his Creator.

God, rich in mercy and love

But God. Instead of abandoning the humanity project as a lost cause, God’s plan always included His redemptive intervention. When things looked the worst and men could see that their efforts could do nothing, God played the trump card.

Jesus, God’s Son and the embodiment of God Himself, lived as a man because of love for His created ones. He was not under the dominion of evil and moved about on earth in perfect, sinless communion with His Father. He tangibly demonstrated God’s mercy through healing of body and soul for those who were beaten down by satan’s pernicious deceptions.

Unlawfully and out of fear and envy, Jewish religious leaders and Roman officials crucified the Christ, the Anointed One sent by God to bring salvation. Evil thought it won the day by bringing death to the Eternal One!

God, full of power

But God! Jesus often spoke plainly about what would occur; however, even His followers didn’t understand or believe how the story was to end. He didn’t die in defeat and brokenness. As Jesus breathed his last breath, He instigated an earth-shattering, cataclysmic, and death-sin-crushing triumph.

A massive earthquake tore open many graves and brought the dead to life. Simultaneously, God’s hand slashed the temple curtain from the top down, instantly conveying the Presence of the Living God directly to the people (Matthew 27:50-53)

And that is not all!

With another seismic convulsion three days later, the Lord of Life walked victoriously out of the tomb. (Matthew 28:2-7)

Who is this God?

THIS is the God who loves us and personally defeated death and sin on our behalf.
(Hebrews 2:14-15)

THIS is the God who is not willing that any of His people perish under the cruel subjugation to satan. (2 Peter 3:9)

THIS is the God who has broken the stranglehold of evil and invites us into fullness of life with Him.
(Psalm 16:11)

THIS is the God who transcends all the forces of this life without any opposition able to snatch us away from Him. (Romans 8:32-37)

THIS is the God who calls us to abundant life in Christ by the dynamis, the dynamite power of His word that is capable of creating the universe and calling us out of death. (Romans 1:4-6)

THIS is the God who knows our weaknesses, fears, and doubts, and only asks us to put our hand in His so His power can save us and be our LIFE. (Hebrews 7:22-28)

Alive with Christ

In this passage, Paul deftly summarizes the heart of the gospel. If we know nothing else but this and cling to its truth, we hold the fullness of God. We are partakers of the Divine Nature with access to all the attributes of Christ.

Alive together with Christ means that all death and darkness of my past is overcome in Him. (Colossians 1:3)

Alive together with Christ assures me that I am never alone. (Matthew 28:20)

Alive together with Christ guarantees that I am part of His plan and His purposes are working in and through me. (Ephesians 2:10)

Since I have done nothing to save myself and can do nothing to bring about life, I have a choice. I can remain in the futility of believing that the dead self is the reality and continue being beat up by satan and the world. OR I can choose to receive the gift of grace and trust Jesus to provide the fullness of His life. (Deuteronomy 30:19)

I choose Life and Love over death and darkness. What about you?