It's all about grace

Based on Ephesians 2

If you were to ask me to explain the gospel message and use but one passage I would either turn to Romans 3 or to our passage for today Ephesians 2:1-10.

After sharing his excitement in Ephesians 1 now he shares the heart of the gospel which has brought him so much joy and it's all grace.

Paul starts by explaining we were all hopeless and dead sinners.

In vs. 1-3 it explains our hopeless state of affairs, "we were dead in our trespasses and sins" were we followed the desires of the flesh and the senses and we were in nature children of wrath just like everyone else"

In Romans 3:23 says, "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;"

No we don't like thinking about ourselves as sinners but its the truth. Denial will only lead us to death but realization and repentance of sin can be our first step to new life.

Now for the good news.

Paul says that Though you were sinners God loved you and showed you grace and mercy through Jesus Christ.

vs. 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved.

Paul says that we receive this grace through faith in Jesus

Eph. 2: 8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith,"

Romans 3:21 "But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."

And this grace and our faith is a gift of God.

Eph. 2:8b "For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

And not only are we saved we have a place in heaven with him.

Eph. 5:b and 6 "by grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Notice he didn't say we will be raised up and we will have a heavenly place now we are raised up and seated with him in heavenly places. In other words we have a seat reserved for us right now. It remains empty now because we are his ambassador but our citizenship and glory are in the heavens while we serve him in this world!

Speaking to the gentile Christians (and to us) he says, in Ephesians 2:19 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God"

And this grace is extended and our new position in the family of God is ours because of the sacrifice of Jesus.

vs. 13,14a "but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace;"


Yes, we were sinners in need of a savior. Jesus came as our savior. We placed our faith in him and out of his grace we were saved and now we are citizens of heaven! And all this is ours because the "price is right". The price was Jesus death on the cross. That's the Good News of the gospel.

It's where we must go to start our journey.