The Pursuit - 12 WeeksSample

Ephesians 2 is one of the clearest pictures in the Bible of what it means to be rescued by God. Paul reminds us where we all started — dead in our sins, following the ways of the world, separated from God. That’s not a flattering description, but it’s a truthful one. Before Christ, we weren’t just spiritually sick; we were spiritually dead. There was nothing we could do to save ourselves.

Then comes one of the greatest phrases in Scripture (v4): “But God.”
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.” Those two words — but God — change everything. We were hopeless, but God stepped in. We were guilty, but God forgave us. We were dead, but God made us alive in Christ.

Paul drives this home in verse 8: “God saved you by his grace when you believed.” This truth keeps us humble and grateful. We can’t boast in our goodness because none of us deserved what God has done. And yet, His grace doesn’t just save us from something — it saves us for something. Verse 10 says we are “God’s masterpiece,” created in Christ to do good works He prepared for us long ago.

The story of salvation isn’t about bad people becoming good; it’s about dead people being made alive. Grace starts the story, carries it forward, and finishes it — all because of Jesus.

Reflection:

When you think about your relationship with God, do you rest in His grace — or do you still feel pressure to earn His approval?