Ephesians 2 -- More Evidence That We're NOT Here?

“In the past, you were spiritually dead … in the past, you lived the way the world lives, following [Satan] … in the past all of us lived like [nonbelievers], trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted … But God’s mercy is great, and He loved us very much.  Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, He gave us new life with Christ … And He has raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with Him in the heavens … You had no hope, and you did not know God.  But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death.”

 

My commentary says that an unsaved person is controlled by the world, the flesh, and the devil …’A dog behaves like a dog because he has a dog’s nature.  If somehow you could transplant into the dog the nature of a cat, his behavior would change radically.  Why does a sinner behave like a sinner?  Because he has the nature of a sinner.  This sinful nature the Bible calls the flesh.”

 

God planned to change our nature.  He wants our nature to be like His.  That’s why we have regeneration when we are saved – removing the old nature and replacing it with a new one.

 

I also picked up more on that intriguing “already in the heavenlies” thought from last week:  “And He raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat in the heavens …”  That’s past tense.  It has already happened.  It does indeed sound like all saved people are there already, and the physical shadow of our spiritual life still exists on this physical plane.

 

Father, thank You so much for the regeneration that allows me to fight my flesh nature.  Without Your help, I’d be unable and unwilling to do it.  Continue to show me more about this incredible idea that I’m already seated in the heavenlies with Christ.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford