8.19.2013 The Crucible of Conversion 2 of 3: The Good News About the Bad News-Eph 2:1-10

Salem United Methodist Church, Pastor Justin Collett

In Ephesians 2:4-10, Paul paints an incredible picture of God's grace and power and our new life in Christ. However, right before that, in verses 1-3, Paul paints a very different picture—our life before Christ. And the picture is bleak. Paul describes it in such stark terms as "dead in trespasses and sins." He basically says we followed everyone and everything except Christ—namely the world, the flesh, and the Devil. And worst and most offensive of all, Paul declares that we were children of wrath. Really? God has wrath? Wrath against us?!! What are we to make of this bleak picture—this bad news? How can we understand it fruitfully? And what could possibly be GOOD about this very BAD news?