EXTREMELY ALIVE
Thursday, July 2, 2020
Ephesians 2:1-10
And you hath he quickened [MKJV “He has made you alive”], who were dead in
trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of
the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved
us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the
exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them.
1Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his
abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and
that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of
God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The word
“quickened” is in KJV 7 times; Ps.119:50, 93; 1Cor.15:36; Eph.2:1, 5; Col.2:13;
1Pet.3:18. All believers would do well to read and seriously consider in context.
Eat, drink,
procreate, laugh, cry, despair or be passionate about life . . . and yet,
without trusting Lord Jesus Christ unto His redemption, the power of His
resurrection . . . people are but walking as dead. (Jn.3:14-18)
But even as
Christian “made alive” we may dwell mediocre though Christ’ liberation provides
for uncommon extremely alive existence for all our days. Dwelling thusly is
grim life, especially considering Jesus saying “If you are not on my side, you
are against me. If you don't gather in the harvest with me, you scatter it.”
(CEV Mt.12:30) “scatter” meaning to waste and dissipate.
Pondering
further, Matthew 6:33 comes to mind; put God’s work first – not at all a
closing thought, but one that in every event we should begin with.
EBB4
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