The right prescription can only be found after a correct diagnosis is made. Similarly, after delivering the worse-than-we-thought bad news (Eph. 2:1–3), Paul describes the better-than-we-could-imagine Good News (Eph. 2:4–7)—"By grace you have been saved!" This passage describes God's character, God's saving actions for his people, and the reason God does all of this.
Ephesians 2:1-3 - After praying that Christians would see the power of Christ's resurrection and exaltation among them, Paul moves on to give an example. In point of fact, all of humanity is dead in sin, enslaved to the devil as well as their own desires, and "by nature" just recipients of God's righteous wrath (Eph. 2:1–3). This devastating news sets the stage for the supremely good news: "But God...made us alive" (Eph. 2:4–5). Let's learn to be humble and thankful, compassionate and joyful in light of this Good News, always remembering the depths from which God has brought us!
Ephesians 1:22–23. Seeing the church from God’s perspective is a game changer. From a merely human perspective, church is just one small part of our week—if that. We too easily stand in judgment over the church. But Paul’s prayer here reminds us of God’s perspective: the church is empowered by Resurrection power; the church is Christ Jesus’ Body; and the church is filled with God’s glory. May God grant us new eyes to see the beauty and power and purpose of the church!
Ephesians 1:17–23. Every Christian needs better vision in order to see spiritual realities more clearly. As a lasting model for us to follow today, Paul prays that believers would see the hope of God’s calling, the riches of his inheritance in the saints, and the power of Jesus’ resurrection that is still at work in the church. What a prayer to pray!