Dead or Alive?

Ephesians 2:1-10

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions 
and sins, 2 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. 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. 
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is 
rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when 
we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you 
have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ 
and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in 
Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he 
might show the incomparable riches of his grace, 
expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through 
faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift 
of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ 
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in 
advance for us to do.

Throughout the season of Lent, we are reminded that it is a season of penitence. We read Scripture passages that remind us, such as this one, that we are sinful beings by nature. We are disobedient, selfish, and worldly. We are sinful. We deserve nothing but death and condemnation. The first few verses of this passage focus specifically on that. Then comes the much awaited “but." This but could not be any more anticipated. We were dead, but because of God’s grace and mercy, we have been made alive in Him. What a great reminder of how important this time of Lent is. We haven’t been redeemed because of good works we have done. We have been showered in God’s grace, which gives us new life. This ultimate sacrifice Christ made for us is what gives us hope during the season of Lent, as well as throughout our walk with Christ. Throughout this season, remember why we are celebrating. We were once dead in our sins, but now Christ has made us alive. There isn’t any better reason to celebrate.

Abby Warnke is a sophomore majoring in Business