BaptistWay Bible Series for September 14: Celebrate the difference God makes

• Ephesians 2:1-10

The week during which I am writing this lesson has been one of mixed emotions. This is the first week of classes at Logsdon Seminary and Hardin-Simmons University. As a professor, this time of year is one of great excitement and anticipation. What a joy it is to study with our students the Bible and ministry! It is, indeed, one of the many times I am so grateful God called me to ministry more than 50 years ago. 

This week also has been filled with sadness. The church I am serving as interim pastor has lost two members to death. Two funerals. Two families with whom to walk “through the valley of the shadow of death.” This is not easy, but it is a time of ministry. And it, too, will be another time when I am so grateful God called me to minister.

OK, so what makes the difference for me? And what is it that makes the difference for families and individuals facing death? The best answer is the same one that makes it possible for any of us to also face difficulties and tragedies in life. The answer also gives meaning to, makes meaning out of and brings joy to life. The answer is not a what, but a who. Of course, that answer is Jesus.

In last week’s lesson we observed the very religious nature of Ephesus. There was the great temple to Artemis. There was Judaism and others. Then, there was the Christian church. One (especially of that day) may ask what difference does Jesus make? What was it that set the worship of Jesus apart from Judaism or the worship of Artemis? In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul addresses that question.

In verses 1-5, Paul starts by drawing a vivid picture of our lives without Jesus. It has to do with our state of being, what we were like and how we acted. We were “dead in [our] transgressions and sins” (v. 1). We “followed the ways of this world (v. 2). We sought to gratify “the cravings of our sinful nature” (v. 3).

That is a pretty sad picture Paul draws of us. However, Paul goes on to write that God still loves us and “is rich in mercy” (v. 4) toward us.

Therefore, by God’s grace, God “made us alive with Christ” (v. 5). As if that were not enough, God “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (v. 6). Dead by our own hands then alive by God’s. Degraded by ourselves then exalted by God. That is a huge difference, isn’t it?

Well, there is even more. That change can be said to have been made in our “spiritual DNA” (that which makes us who we are and what we look like). Of course, that is what Jesus meant by our being “born again” (John 3). That change is not simply for our own good. That is, God changes us through Jesus for reasons beyond our own good and exaltation. Rather, verse 10 tells us “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works.”

Now, we can never emphasize enough that, as Paul reminds us in verses 8-9, we cannot earn our salvation. It is possible only through the lavishness of God’s mercy and grace. Just as our physical DNA forms the way the look physically, if Jesus has changed us at the “spiritual DNA”  level, our lives will grow to resemble that of  Jesus. In other words, rather than living after the way of the world, we live in the way of Jesus.

The difference God makes in us is both internal and external. The difference should be a deep down change of our personal fabric and make-up. The difference is not one of a superficial checklist. However, the result should be visible in our lives being patterned more closely after Jesus.

We also must remember this kind of change is beyond our human capability. We could make ourselves follow some of Jesus’ ways that we could check off on a list. However, we cannot change ourselves deep down and in our innermost being. Rather, we must trust Jesus to make that difference.

Then, we must trust Jesus to mold us into his image. Even Jesus’ first disciples once responded that what Jesus was teaching them was “hard” (John 6:60). Doing what Jesus did and commands us to do can be hard for us. It even can be frightening when we do not know what will be its end or what will happen to us. So, we still must rely on Jesus —in grace—to not only change us, but also to mold, enable and empower us for good works. Always, we can trust Jesus to keep his promise to us: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Questions to explore

•  What difference does trusting in Jesus make for you as you face the joys and sorrows of life?

•  What teaching of Jesus do you find the most difficult to follow? How can trusting Jesus enable you to obey him?