Ephesians 2:1-7

1: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2: in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3: Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
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),
6: and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7: so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

*** 

To be dead in trespasses and sins is a spiritual death which makes a person unable to live in spiritual life—love, holiness, and all that is good. The prince of the power of the air is Satan himself who was cast out of the heavenlies when Jesus died and rose again (John 12:31, Revelation 12:5-13). The power of the air is the collection of evil spirits who form the worldly trend of the age. Prior to being born again, we were unable to live in true life, but instead lived according to the influence of evil spirits, giving in to carnal desires.

Paul said that everyone—Jew and Gentile included—formerly lived according to this demonic, worldly spirit, indulging the lusts of the flesh and of the mind because we were by nature children of wrath. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve all of mankind are born with that nature, deserving of the wrath of God, until one becomes a new creature through faith in Jesus—born again in spirit by the grace of God. Thank God we each have the choice—the invitation for salvation is extended to everyone.

Satan can no longer accuse those justified in Christ from a heavenly position. Jesus triumphed over him (Colossians 2:8-15). God’s plan of salvation was accomplished in Christ and Satan cannot stand against God’s decision to bring justification through the blood of Jesus (Romans 8:33-34). However, the worldly spirit is at work in those who are disobedient to the gospel—in those who don’t receive God’s justification through faith in Jesus Christ.

Yes, we all were children of wrath. Paul said, “But God…” Because of His rich mercy and great love which He loves us with, makes us alive and raises us up into heavenly places in Christ. As believers in Christ, we are there now in spirit, seated with Him in the heavenly places. God will continue to show this great grace and kindness to those who believe until the end of this age when Christ physically returns to the earth.

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