“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” Ephesians 2:10 AMP

In the preceding verses, the Apostle Paul reminds the believer that even though we were dead in our sin and separated from God, His desire for a relationship with us found a way to redeem that which was lost! 

“And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. 3Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of [a]human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].” Ephesians 2:1-3 AMP

Notice that these verses demonstrate that the inward condition of a man is demonstrated by his outward behavior. Paul reminds us that “our behavior governed by the sinful self” was because we lacked the indwelling Holy Spirit. In our sinful state we were the objects of His wrath. The good news is now that we are the subject of His love by His grace! 

“But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace–His undeserved favor and mercy–you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:4-6 AMP

We can live different lives now as we set our mind on the things of the Spirit and not of the flesh.  Our verses today give us great strength to know that it is God who is at work in our lives conforming us to the image of Christ. Remember that we have been “saved from His judgement” and not exempt from the power of sin in our lives! We have been saved from the death of sin and have had a principle of spiritual life implanted in us! Grace has now freed us to be able to choose NOT to sin! All this the Scripture tells us is so that,

“[and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].” Ephesians 2:7 AMP

Let me encourage you as you walk the path of redemption, God is in control! He knows exactly where you are and where you are going! No need to struggle or fret, He has you covered! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken