We were dead. All of us. You, me, the entire human race. Dead. It wasn't a physical death, but a spiritual one that was a result of our sins and transgressions. Many people don't realize the ramifications of living in sin, but the Bible tells us that spiritual death is the result. When you combine spiritual death with physical death, well, that's the point of no return.
When one is physically dead, he can not raise himself up to life. He is powerless to change his position. The same is true of spiritual death. For this reason, God chose to step in and come to our rescue. He is omnipotent so he is powerful when we are powerless. Take a look at what happens when God gets involved:
Ephesians 2:1-10
1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms -- all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
While we were still conniving, ungrateful sinners, God sent Jesus to die for us which made a way for us to come alive, be raised up with Christ, and live forever in Heaven. I'm not sure about you, but that's a lot more than I could offer anyone who was on my enemies side. The best part is that God, in his kindness, makes it so easy for us to come to him (we're the ones who make it hard). He offers grace; all he asks is that we have FAITH.
Those who accept God's grace are spiritually re-created and experience this glorious plan that He designed for us. No longer defined by our sin, we become God's MASTERPIECE much like some of the great paintings and sculptures found in history. Even a poem can be considered a masterpiece. I love poetry and have often written poems when I am in the depths of emotion (whether it be joy, grief, anger, etc.). Each poem is so personal to me that they are almost sacred. In that same way, we are God's poetry.
This says a lot about our value and purpose. Our worth as Christians is not based on how good we can act, how many rules we can follow, or how righteous we appear to others. The only value we have was given to us by a holy God and there's nothing we can do to earn it. It is a free gift that changed us from a dead sinner to a sacred poem of the Most High God.
You are His sacred masterpiece!
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