Yesterday, we saw the “before” picture of who and what we were before we came to know Jesus Christ. Today, we look in Ephesians 2:4-10 at the “after” picture. It is a beautiful picture, indeed!

We are taken from death (separated from God) to life (relationship with God). In this “after” picture, we see:

• All of what we are going to see comes from our God who is rich in mercy because His love for us is so great. (verse 4)Meditate on that for a moment. You are loved deeply, greatly. Yes, you. Yes, no matter your health or circumstances or past. God’s rich mercy is granted you because of His great love for you!
• Even though we were dead, He has made us alive with Jesus Christ our Messiah. (verse 5) This salvation is by grace. Notice this. It is not by our worthiness, works, wits, or wisdom. It is through Christ!
• Together with Christ, He has raised us up and seated us in the Heavens. (verse 6) Did you get that? Together with Christ. Relationship. We are now alive and together with Christ!
• He does this to display the immeasurable riches of His grace in the coming ages. (verse 7) This is all through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
• Our salvation is not on us or our works! We are saved by grace, through faith. It is God’s gift to us. In fact, it is not on us so that we cannot boast. (verses 8-9) Have you ever heard someone say that the ground is level at the foot of the cross? Rich, poor, health, sick, kind, unkind, Jews, and Gentiles all come to God the same way: by grace through faith. Isn’t that exciting! I can have relationship with God!
• We are His creation, created in Christ. Why? He created us for good works which He has established so that we can walk in them. God has made us His workmanship. He has a purpose for us. He wants us to walk in His purpose. This means you. Yes, you, even in your weakness, illness, isolation, whatever!

Wow! What an “after” picture this is. It is for you! We are His new creation! Relationship with God is an amazing and precious gift!