Peace with God & Each Other

One with Christ

In this passage, Paul details for us the consequence of being united with Christ.

He contrasts the prior life with the present life.

Prior life was characterized as “dead”, “worldly”, “allied with Satan”, “disobedient”, and enslaved to one’s desires.

Look what made the difference.... “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us...”

2 qualities of God highlighted here— mercy & love. Mercy eliminates the punishment of sin. Love is the motivation for mercy & the disposition that God has towards His creation.

He made us alive together with Christ. Notice how many times Paul ties the benefit we receive from salvation to our relationship with/in Christ.

made alive with Christ, raised with him, seated with him, shown kindness of grace in Him.

Through relationship with Christ, we receive innumerable spiritual blessings.

Watch the transition verse here..

What does Paul say that we were created for? “good works”

If there’s a single verse in the entire canon of Scripture that advocates for a responsibility following salvation, it’s this verse.

Our lives do not

“created FOR’ good works.

The Blood of Jesus eliminates division and separation.

Because the blood of Jesus is available to all regardless of your background or status, there can be no division.

The blood is the tie that binds all of us together.

The blood is an acknowledgment by all of us that we are each insufficient to earn our right standing before God.

The blood eliminates the ability of anyone to assert spiritual superiority.

Just as there’s a past work & present work in the individual believer, there’s a past and present work in the body of Christ.

Past individual - made alive, raised, seated, etc.

Present individual - good works

Past community - brought near, given access.

Present community - growth, “being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”