The same is being said in Ephesians 2:6-7. Paul writes:
"and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
We've already seen in the first five verses that we are in need of salvation. We know that, because of the sinful nature and desires in each of us, we were separated from God from our birth. We have also seen that, out of His rich mercy, God sent His son to die on the cross. That it was God's grace, and His grace alone, that initiated salvation.
Read the first seven verses of the chapter again (go ahead, I can wait). Hopefully you noticed that Paul has been talking in the past tense so far, and until verses 6-7 this has made sense. But when Paul writes that we have been "raised up with Him" and that we've been "seated...in the heavenly places", it can be a bit confusing. Obviously, we are not seated in the heavenly places. We have not yet been raised up with Christ.
In the original Greek language, the verbs "raised" and "seated" are written in the aorist tense. Authors used this verb-tense to explain actions that had already happened, but that would also have future implications. So, if we look at verse six again, with the idea of future implications, we understand what Paul is saying. We know that salvation was given to us out of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, and that in that one single act, we have been secured citizenship in Heaven. While we have not yet been raised up, we most certainly will be raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
Since Jesus paid the price for our redemption on the cross, not only will we be raised up with Him and seated in the heavenly places; we will also share in the Father's "immeasurable riches", and "His grace in kindness toward us". Don't misunderstand what this means, though. We have not been saved so that we can receive kindness and grace and be elevated to a place of authority. We have been shown grace and kindness IN our salvation. It is through God's grace and kindness that we are even saved. Do you see the difference? If we were saved in order to receive kindness and grace, salvation would be all about God making us feel better and making us feel important.
How silly would it be to believe that the God of the universe, the Creator of everything (including us) would save us because we are something special that deserves his kindness and grace?! Paul isn't saying that we are receiving grace and kindness because we have done anything. The grace and kindness was given to us in order to save us in the first place! HE is the point of salvation. HIS glory is the chief purpose. Yes, we benefit from salvation, obviously. But, ultimately, it's NOT ABOUT US. It is about His glory and renown. So, we are saved not to be showered with kindness and grace, but to humbly receive that kindness and grace, then devote our lives to God and praise His holy Name. Paul is reminding us that His glory is our purpose. We were not created to be praised, but to praise the One who made us.
What does it mean to receive this grace? Check out verses 8-10 next time.
Ephesians 2:1-3
Ephesians 2:4-5
Read the first seven verses of the chapter again (go ahead, I can wait). Hopefully you noticed that Paul has been talking in the past tense so far, and until verses 6-7 this has made sense. But when Paul writes that we have been "raised up with Him" and that we've been "seated...in the heavenly places", it can be a bit confusing. Obviously, we are not seated in the heavenly places. We have not yet been raised up with Christ.
In the original Greek language, the verbs "raised" and "seated" are written in the aorist tense. Authors used this verb-tense to explain actions that had already happened, but that would also have future implications. So, if we look at verse six again, with the idea of future implications, we understand what Paul is saying. We know that salvation was given to us out of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, and that in that one single act, we have been secured citizenship in Heaven. While we have not yet been raised up, we most certainly will be raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places.
Since Jesus paid the price for our redemption on the cross, not only will we be raised up with Him and seated in the heavenly places; we will also share in the Father's "immeasurable riches", and "His grace in kindness toward us". Don't misunderstand what this means, though. We have not been saved so that we can receive kindness and grace and be elevated to a place of authority. We have been shown grace and kindness IN our salvation. It is through God's grace and kindness that we are even saved. Do you see the difference? If we were saved in order to receive kindness and grace, salvation would be all about God making us feel better and making us feel important.
How silly would it be to believe that the God of the universe, the Creator of everything (including us) would save us because we are something special that deserves his kindness and grace?! Paul isn't saying that we are receiving grace and kindness because we have done anything. The grace and kindness was given to us in order to save us in the first place! HE is the point of salvation. HIS glory is the chief purpose. Yes, we benefit from salvation, obviously. But, ultimately, it's NOT ABOUT US. It is about His glory and renown. So, we are saved not to be showered with kindness and grace, but to humbly receive that kindness and grace, then devote our lives to God and praise His holy Name. Paul is reminding us that His glory is our purpose. We were not created to be praised, but to praise the One who made us.
What does it mean to receive this grace? Check out verses 8-10 next time.
Ephesians 2:1-3
Ephesians 2:4-5
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