Ephesians 2 Salvation was and is God’s Plan: Past, Present and Future

Salvation and God’s Plan – Vs. 1-7 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. All Believers – were dead in trespasses and sins, once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4; Luke 8:12). All Believers including Paul – we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath (2 Cor. 4:3-4; 1 John 5:19). The natural condition of fallen people is that they are subject to God’s wrath (John 3:18; 3:36). No one can save themselves from this condition. THANKS be to God!

Salvation and God’s Plan – Vs. 1-7 But God, who is rich in mercy (not getting what one deserves), because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, LOOK what GOD did: First – He made us alive with Christ Second – He raised us up together with Christ (based on our union with Christ we are also united in His resurrection – Rom. 6:5) Third – He made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father and in terms of position believers are there also – Col. 3:1-4)

Salvation and God’s Plan – Vs. 1-7 that in the ages to come (kingdom) He might show (point out, demonstrate) the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The intended result of the believers’ co-crucifixion, co-resurrection, and co- seating with Christ is that in the ages to come He might show: The Church will forever be a trophy of God’s marvelous grace (TGNTC). Our past - being dead in sin, living by the world, and being children of wrath. Our present - alive, raised, and seated with Christ Our future - in which believers will forever demonstrate the exceeding riches of God’s grace in Christ. Titus 3:4; 2 Tim. 2:11-13

Where and How do works work with my faith? For we are His workmanship

Salvation and God’s Plan (2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. This salvation is in the perfect tense, showing action that happened in the past with continuing results. Jesus Christ is a person’s Savior because he trusts in Him for eternal life (John 3: ; 5:24; 6:47; 11:25; 20:30-31; Acts 16:29-31). Salvation is NOT of oneself; it is the gift of God (John 4:10).

Romans 4: Justified by Faith Only. What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Not all boasting is sinful. Spiritual boasting is something that is valid – 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Cor. 1:12

Romans 4: Justified by Faith Only. Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” When it comes to legal justification in declaring a sinner righteous, there was no ground of boasting before God. Paul implies another type of justification, by works before men (Jas. 2:21), but not before God. And so does James.

James: Justified by Works and not by Faith Only. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him (Faith can’t save him, can it)? First off – Saved from what? Don’t assume it is always eternal salvation. Theme of James is obedience to God’s word in the midst of trials. Faith alone cannot save a disobedient believer from the deadly consequences of sin - 1:21; 5:19-20

James: Justified by Works and not by Faith Only. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not only justified by faith. Works bring your faith to life. Without works your faith is dead.

God’s Masterpiece (2:10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. The church is God’s creation, created for good works. We are called to live out our lives doing good as a representative of Christ – 2 Cor. 5:20; Matt. 5:16