Ephesians 2:1-10. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What exactly is salvation? It is the solution to the problem of the past–freedom from sin that causes destruction: original sin, sins of the father, and the actual sins we committed motivated by our sinful nature that had come from original sin (Eph 2:1).
For our sins, a sinless person had to die (1 Pe 3:18). The Son of Man had to give His life as a ransom for us(Mk 10:45). Jesus, the True Priest, entered the Most Holy Place once for all with His own blood, not the blood of goats or young bulls. He entered there and made us free from sin forever (Heb 9:12).
That was the only way to liberate us from the law of sin and death. So, do not dwell on your past. Believe in the One who declared, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). Enjoy peace with God that came through your True Priest.
Salvation is the solution to the problem of the present–freedom from the power of Satan (Eph 2:2). By rising again from the dead, Jesus the True King destroyed the one who has the power of death—the devil. He is the ruler of the evil forces above the earth, the same spirit that is now working in those who refuse to obey God.
When Jesus becomes your True King, you don’t have to follow the ways of this world. You will have victory against the world (1 Jn 5:4-5).
Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you. Do not let your enemy, the devil, plant the seed of unbelief in your heart. He goes around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:7-8).
By the authority Jesus, your True King, has given you, stand against the devil, and he will run away from you (Jas 4:7).
Salvation is the solution to the problem of the future–being seated in heaven (Eph 2:6). Jesus the True Prophet opened a new and living way from hell to heaven for you.
You have crossed over from death to life (Jn 5:24). Your permanent address has been changed forever (Col 1:13). You moved into your permanent home in heaven.
Since the day you believed Jesus as your True Prophet, you have been living in the kingdom of God here on earth (Lk 17:21, Php 3:20). He has given you the keys to His kingdom so that you may unleash the power in the heavenly realms by prayer (Mt 16:19).
When you leave the earth, He will take you to the place He prepared to be with you forever. So, don’t be troubled. Trust in God and trust in Jesus, your True Prophet (Jn 14:1-3).
You have been saved by grace when you put your faith in Christ. Even that faith was given to you as a gift. You have not been saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about (Eph 2:8-9).
The evidence of God’s gift of salvation will fill your life and will not end in your generation. His kindness and the amazing richness of His grace to us who belong to Christ Jesus will clearly show for all time to come. God has prepared an important task for you to do—proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ!
Prayer. Father, I thank You for settling all my past, present, and future problems. Help me experience the blessing of salvation in all circumstances. Use my life to proclaim to all nations Your kindness and grace to me who belong to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.