Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJV- “But God, who is rich in mercy, 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, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
This is an uneducated guess, but I am not sure there is a more powerful run-on sentence in the scriptures than Ephesians 2:4-7. I typically capture an affirmation from a scripture and every now and then they will come from the complete thought of two combined verses. Paul packed in maybe the most powerful statement I can recall or affirm in this one sentence.
I almost wrote on Ephesians 2:4 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,” (NIV) I found that I have already written on this verse several times between 2010 and 2025 and even recorded “God, thank You for Your great love for us” in my book Every Affirmation you will ever need. Of course, this time the comma forced me to read on and see what would help make this thought complete.
Ephesians 2:5 continued “ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” Several years ago I had posted “I am made alive with Christ.” And yet here is the comma again.
Next in Ephesians 2:6 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” (NIV) I found I had also captured a standalone affirmation from this verse as well, “Thank You God for raising me up.” By now I am beginning to see that this sentence is going on forever. What could be next?
Ephesians 2:7 “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) This verse always brings a smile to my face and heart. No matter the translation I know in my heart that I have received the incomparable riches (NIV), incredible wealth (NLT), Immeasurable riches (ESV), surpassing riches (BSB), Exceeding riches (KJV) that God has given to me personally in the person of Jesus Christ.
I know for a fact that I was once living Ephesians 2:1-2 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 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.” (NIV)
I have lived a large part of my life as Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:3 “ 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.” (NIV) I am thankful for the incredible riches of God’s great love and grace given to me in Christ Jesus is. Do you appreciate the God’s gift to you?
Has God made you alive in Christ?
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love for us. Thank You for saving us from our transgressions and sins and making us alive in Christ Jesus. Thank You for Paul and all those who teach us and remind us of Your immeasurable riches of Your love and grace for us. Thank You, Father, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
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