Nobody really likes to talk about their past, especially the memories which evoke feelings of guilt, pain, and sin. But in these verses Paul reminds his believing readers about their past in order reveal the extent of the salvation which he already addressed in Ephesians 1. Salvation is past (election), present (redemption and forgiveness), and future (Christ’s kingdom on earth for 1,000 years). Through the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are made alive…we are given new life in Christ. Jesus traded His righteousness for our sin and all those who by faith trust in His finished work will be made alive. Romans 6:11 reminds us that we are “dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Instead of leaving his readers with this thought, Paul asks them to remember their past. They “were dead in trespasses and sins” and “walked according to the course of this world.” Yes, we are alive in God but never forget the fallenness from which you were redeemed. Being dead in sin carries the idea of being hopeless and without any resolution in sight. The Bible is very clear that all have sinned and therefore must experience the penalty for sin – death. There is no other way to satisfy the wrath of God on sin other than through death. Paul also exposes their proneness to follow the world’s ways and ultimately their loyalty to the one who controls the world, the devil (2:2). It is the spirit of the devil which manipulates people into thinking that his way brings happiness when in reality it brings destruction and disappointment. Why did Paul need to make his readers think about their past? So they could truly appreciate the salvation they had found through Jesus Christ. Although our past is not something we like to remember, today take a moment to thank God for forgiving you from sin and providing the payment needed for your redemption!
Dear God, thank You for erasing my past and giving me a new life through Jesus Christ!
