Due to the fall of humanity when Adam and Eve sinned, we live with a sinful nature that affects how we think, feel, and interact with God and others. We are inclined toward sin, and we need powerful intervention through salvation and ongoing sanctification. Otherwise, we live in a “can’t stop, won’t stop” entanglement with sin.
This sinful condition is very different from the one I heard about growing up. After giving honor to God, a seasoned saint would proclaim at the top of her lungs, “I once was lost, but now, I’m found!” Though I get the sentiment and even affirm its use, what Paul describes in these verses is not a person who is lost but a person who is dead.
This is you and I, apart from God’s divine intervention. Elsewhere, Paul describes the effects of sin as slavery, binding people to obey the demanding power of sin (Romans 6:16). Sin infects all of us and often keeps us from seeing the depth of our need for redemption. That’s why Paul says that without Christ, we are “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
But God.
BUT GOD.
God, being rich in mercy, abounding in never-fading, never-ending love, intervenes. He sends His Son to take our place. Instead of pouring His wrath out on us, God pours out His wrath onto His beloved Son so that those who were once children of wrath can become children of God. And, in this, we rejoice! We have been saved from God’s wrath. But, friend, this is not all. The good news doesn’t stop there.
In Christ, not only have we been saved from God’s wrath, but we have also been saved from our once-dead state. Salvation is the gift that keeps on giving. You see, through His death, Jesus saves us from God’s wrath (justification), and through His resurrection, Jesus makes us alive with Him (regeneration)! He moves us out of the morgue of our “can’t stop, won’t stop” relationship with sin and into a life-giving relationship with Him. Where we were once unable to respond to God and His Word, we can now respond to Him through the death and resurrection of our Savior. What a reversal!
However, can I be honest? I don’t always live as though this reversal is true. While I find it easy to cling to Christ’s death, which saves me from God’s wrath, I sometimes find it difficult to cling to Christ’s resurrection, which liberates me from sin’s power. But these two salvific realities are what make the gospel beautiful. Jesus saves us to the utmost, delivering us from sin’s penalty and power. And soon enough, He will deliver us from its presence. Until then, our refrain is no longer “we can’t stop, and won’t stop,” but “Yes, Lord, yes!'”
Leave a Reply
42 thoughts on "From Death to Life"
Rich in mercy.
It makes me wonder what characteristic someone would say I’m rich in. Jesus, help me to be more like you.
What stood out for me today is the double entry. Jesus took that punishment for us, he did that so we could live eternally with the Father. That we can live again with a renewed faith and zest for the life he has prepared for us.
I think it can be easy to see all the despair in the world and mayhem in home life and not take a few beats each day to just appreciate this is a new day, a day God gave us to shine for him! I need to appreciate that opportunity and say amem to the start of another beautiful day! My sins have been forgiven so live like it, God did that for me!
Clinging to His Resurrection, clinging to the God of life. Death did not, cannot hold him. My very young son has surgery tomorrow and my heart has been heavy —concerned, beyond anxious and in tears about the risk for death. Truly testing of my faith (James 1).I have grieved that sin fractured this world and brought death, BUT GOD! Oh the good news is realized deep. The Holy Spirit answered in my desperation for the report to not have the last word. He put into my mind and heart that God is the God of life. That physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually sin only offers death, but Jesus rose again and we, little Christs, with him! My anxiety replaced with His reassuring presence and peace. Only through Jesus and his grace. This momma will cling as tight as he’ll let me. He will hold me fast through death and sin into life everlasting now and always! Thank you Lord for life in you. Sisters, please know our hope is not in vain and it is as much for right now as it is when Christ returns. I’d appreciate your prayers for my son as well.
Amen ❤️
I think it was one of the last devotionals of the previous study (Lent 2023) that posed a question about what it would mean for us if Jesus had not been resurrected. I hadn’t thought about it before. Through his death he took on the punishment for our sins, and without his sacrifice we would still not be forgiven for our sins. We’d still be living in the Old Testament. So it seemed very clear what it would mean if he hadn’t been crucified. But what about resurrection? What if that hadn’t happened? I feel like today’s writing encapsulates that distinction of what was accomplished through Christ’s death and what was accomplished by his resurrection. He didn’t just take on our punishment for sin, he overcame sin and death and he offers us salvation and the opportunity to join him in that new life.
@Jennifer Anapol love the comment about sin not getting the last word. I often get overwhelmed thinking about all my sins and how I am not worthy of his forgiveness but it’s so nice to remember it doesn’t get the last day. @Foster Mama praying your meeting went well and the Lord was able to make all things right during it. Praying for all of you ladies today and your specific needs. Happy Tuesday!
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10….. this verse hit me differently tonight. There’s something so loving about God allowing us to be a part of his works. Preparing the way and planning, so that we can know and experience what it is like to love.
Nancy S – me too!! I’ve been reading along but haven’t yet made time to come post here, felt like I had to after seeing the devotional today. Love
Amen Jennifer!
♥️
I pray that I would fully live like I am a new creation
I love that God remakes us into the people he has called us to be. I love that sin doesn’t have the last word in our lives, but God does. God’s forgiveness, grace and sanctification does.
Great reading today and devotional, and seeing all the comments. I love our community. Thank you SRT for all your work you do! I got to listen to the podcast today during a dentist appointment, which let me tell you, was a wonderful, welcome, heart-filling distraction!
CeeGee- heart emoji
FosterMomma- Looks like it went well, Praise God!
Michelle- Love what you wrote!
Sharon- I too, love, love that song!!
Mercy- good stuff
Gwyneth22- I too am missing the absence of more posts. It’s so easy to get caught up in the business, I heard it’s one of satan’s best tools today.
When I think of my past sins they can really haunt me. I was drowning in a plethora of them. I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father will not only forgive me (hallelujah!), but He will throw them away. On a radio program today it was talking about David’s sin with Bathsheba, and how that one little look, turned to lust and metastasized so fast. One leads to more…And, even when we sin and repent, it still causes scars and consequences. God gives us the rule book, but it is for our benefit! I want to adhere because of His unfathomable LOVE for us. Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. He washed me white as snow!
What true observation about the “won’t stop, can’t stop” pull of sin. It’s out of our hand, that’s why sin is a stronghold that the power of God can tear down. Thank you Yana!! Some key points stood out to me:
1. We are the workmanship designed onto good works. Not idle works, not dead works, not invaluable works…but GOOD WORKS. When plugged into the Vine, we produce good fruits/good works that last. If any of us doubts our works, you know sometimes I fall victim to this. On this journey walking on the narrow and difficult path, I might question my works. The devil usually reminds me that the works I do are unpaid, why do it? Why go the extra mile when no one is watching? But God sees, and that will bring a smile to His face when He looks down, that’s what I imagine in my head, and He might smile and think, that’s my girl…she goes the extra mile for My Glory alone. And that encourages me to continue on this narrow road.
2. The veil between us (once sinners) and the Holiest of Holy is Jesus’ flesh (Hebrews 10:20). Thank you Jesus for the torn veil, so now there is no separation with God Most High.
@SEARCHING: ❤️
@GWINETH52: yoke of despair and grief from bullies is real. Thank you for this insight. This is a yoke that can choke life and joy out of the victims.
@FOSTER MAMA: praying your the meeting you mentioned, and your upcoming absence, may God’s hand and His tender mercy be with you to orchestrate all the details of life for you.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Good Morning Shes. Sometimes as I read through the community comments, and see so few, I wonder where everyone has gone. Pulled away about our “stuff”? As the devotional reads “the can’t stop; won’t stop” life style of contradictions & distractions & addictions? I say this because I see myself. Falling back into a material world of pleasures. Devoting myself to the “story of me”. Standing proudly. Instead of kneeling before the Christ who died for me. The one who beckons, even me, back towards a loving God who has forgiven. Him telling me I can do the hard thing of defeating seduction of earthly “stuff”. Because Christ has already done the hard thing for me on the cross.
And let me say too, it’s not only the sins & transgressions I admit I commit. It’s the bullying & fault finding piled on me by others. When I absorb & believe & accept their accusations & admonitions . A different yoke of despair. But sin nevertheless. Allowing myself to be beaten down instead of lifting my head & acknowledging the truth & strength of the Lord. When it happens I try to remember this rebuttal: “Heavenly father, please work on me, with me, and through me”. Reveal and confess to any blindness or stubbornness that rest in me. Followed by “Heavenly Father, please work on them, with them, and through them”. Partnering with Christ Jesus. Reaching out toward the resurrected life in my life and theirs.
So, my sisters, I don’t know where you might cower or confess in the face of the divine invitation. All I can say, loudly yet reverently, whether you choose to “put pen to paper” and write on this prayer wall or not…Praying continuously for one another, either silently or aloud…
“KEEP COMING BACK!!”
Amen & Amen
Thank you Father for your never ending – never failing love, slow to anger, great compassion. BUT, GOD!! Hallelujah!!
Today’s reading just highlights how underserved God’s grace is- I am a sinner yet He choose me!!! Also today I am feeling the tug on my heart to forgive. If anyone is struggling with forgiveness I highly recommend reading Lysa TerKeurst “Forgiving what you can’t forget”. It really breaks down how because we are reconciled we should reconcile others!!!! Love love love this study! Thank you SRT and prayers to all you sisters!
Thank you Yana for today’s devotional! There is so much “richness” in the scriptures we read today! I am especially blessed to be reminded of God’s compassion, graciousness, abounding love and mercy that we read about in Psalm 103:8-12. Thank God – He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities!! I am ever so grateful to know that God not only has removed our sin, but no longer remembers it. How I wish I could forget my sins, the ones that the evil one always likes to throw in my face and remind me of my humanness. ..But God. But God. But God – who is rich in mercy, hallelujah! As I was reading these scriptures today it reminded me of a song we sang this past Sunday – In Christ Alone. Especially these lyrics: “Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on Him was laid, Here in the death of Christ I live.” Thank you, thank you Jesus!
Have a blessed Tuesday ladies! Praying for your requests as I come to them.
Yes! This!!!
Instead of pouring His wrath out on us, God pours out His wrath onto His beloved Son so that those who were once children of wrath can become children of God. Such a beautiful love for us! Please God, help me to cling to Christ’s resurrection, which liberates me from sin’s power.
Good morning from sunny and a chilly California. I just want to say hello and that I’m thinking and praying for all of you here.
❤️ Praise be to Jesus ❤️
Thank you @ MICHELLE PATIRE and all who prayed!
From today’s reading in “Jesus Always”: “Rejoice, beloved, for through Me the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free!”. Thank you Jesus ♥️
Amen
Good morning! :)
Psalm 103 is a Scripture the Lord brings me to repeatedly. I have read it so much I anticipated the verses we read today. This Scripture also comes to mind in reading:
Micah 7:19 ESV “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
A phrase that has stood out to me the past two days is “abounding in mercy” in my NKJV translation. I was wrestling with the verse we read yesterday about “where sin abounds, grace abounds more” – remembering that Christ’s love covers a multitude of sins. Psalm 103 just summarizes God’s grace and mercy so beautifully. He is just, yet “does not punish us according to our sins.” The opening of this psalm says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”
God we thank you for your mercy, that never fails. That it is new every morning. A fresh start. New creations, You see us as part of Your family, bearing your righteousness, not our history. Your history. Your love. Your goodness. Your purity. You washed us white as snow. Lord, be with us Shes this morning, afternoon, and evening. Bless @Foster Mama as she does Your will. Bless @Dorothy as she loves and supports her sister, whom You love, and give them Your peaceful presence. I think of all the dear Shes on here who write often or come here in quiet. Help us see Your great love and mercy. Thank you, Jesus. In your name, I pray.
❤️
These are some of the most dense & gospel filled scriptures (IMO!). I LOVE that section in Ephesians – it’s next one my memory verses to tackle! So grateful that God doesn’t settle to leave us sick in our sin – we have a life of continual sanctification. Lord, help me to do my part, help me to take the right steps, & Holy Spirit you are welcome here to do what only you can do – change my heart.
p.s. im finally feeling a bit better – this weekend was rough and I feel like I couldn’t catch a break while momming and leading our small group Sunday evening.
“through His death, Jesus saves us from God’s wrath (justification), and through His resurrection, Jesus makes us alive with Him (regeneration)! He moves us out of the morgue of our “can’t stop, won’t stop” relationship with sin and into a life-giving relationship with Him. Where we were once unable to respond to God and His Word, we can now respond to Him through the death and resurrection of our Savior. What a reversal!”
THANK YOU, YANA CONNER, for the encouragement and challenge you have given us today. So much to ponder and be thankful for!
But God!!! Yes, Lord, Yes!!!
What an amazing and beautiful articulation of the gospel!! Thank you Yana. And thank you Lord for the cross AND empty tomb! We praise you!
✝️❤️ARROW PRAYER REQUEST❤️✝️
Hello my sisters.
Hard to explain so I’ll just say…there is a CRUCIAL meeting that can ONLY happen today (scheduled for 2 hours from now) that looks like could be cancelled…If so, it will have a domino effect that will cause big challenges. Please pray God’s perfect will… but humbly ❤️…..that things go as planned. THANK YOU ❤️
(As an aside, I will mostly be MIA for this study due to variety of factors but, hope to be right back with you next study on time and reading this one when I can. Hugs to each of you ❤️)
I pray I would live more out of my “alive in Christ” state than my “dead in sin” state. I pray I would feel the power of the Holy Spirit to live out of the truth that sin has no hold on me instead of succumbing to its ways.
Lifting up all the prayer requests especially @Sarah D, @Dorothy and your sister, and @Courtney <3
❤️
BUT GOD. ❤️❤️❤️ We do not deserve His grace. Thank you Jesus.
Sisters, more tears this morning when I got to this place in Yana’s devo – “Instead of pouring His wrath out on us, God pours out His wrath onto His beloved Son so that” … I am so thankful for His mercy!
The first thing that popped into my mind when I read Yana’s “can’t stop, won’t stop” was how true that is when it comes to sin. Whether an addiction we can’t/won’t/don’t recognize or just flat out willful sinning “I know it’s wrong and I don’t care”. Cling to Jesus and our salvation through His resurrection.
At He Reads Truth, Ryne Brewer says “Sin often looks like a life-giving tree, but there is only death at its roots.” The evil one’s lies that we have listened to since the beginning of time.
MERCY – thank you for pointing out the hunger connections, may we hunger for God’s word.
CEE GEE ❤️
COURTNEY – praying for comfort, strength and encouragement in this time of immense grief ❤️
DOROTHY – thank you for the update, praying for Carol and for you. Her being moved sounds like it was poorly communicated by staff, and likely felt to you like a scene from a TV drama at the time.
TAYLOR – praying for Wendy’s healing, and for your mom as she supports her recovery
SARAH D – praying for relief of anxiety, God’s guidance in your job search and decision making, that aspects of joy in your current job would become visible. ❤️
So powerful…saved from sin and soon will be removed from its very presence. Holy Spirit prompt me in my deepest soul daily that I am a new creation in Christ and through Him sin has no hold on me. In Jesus name, Amen
Great reminder to have faith and hope. To cling to our Savior in all things,for he is gracious to us and loves us more than we can comprehend
AMEN! Truly, there are no words.
❤️
Thank you, Ayanna for this devotional. This part is so powerful: Elsewhere, Paul describes the effects of sin as slavery, binding people to obey the demanding power of sin (Romans 6:16). Sin infects all of us and often keeps us from seeing the depth of our need for redemption. That’s why Paul says that without Christ, we are “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
May the blinders be taken off, so that all can see thei/my need for repentance and the one and only Savior by any means necessary, even today! Amen
Wow! So good.
O Yana, loved “I sometimes find it difficult to cling to Christ’s resurrection, which liberates me from sin’s power.” So true.
As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Once you were alienated and
hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death,ak to present you holy,
faultless, and blameless before him.” May my actions reflect that I am reconciled to my Savior. And may I be faithful in pleading on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).
COURTNEY – praying that God would pour out an extra dose of love for you as you navigate your grief.
AMIEE ROGERS – great question! According to the Enuring Word Commentary “Then by the twelve: This probably refers to the first meeting Jesus had with His assembled disciples, mentioned in Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, and John 20:19-25. This was the meeting where Jesus appeared in the room with the doors and windows shut, and breathed on the disciples, giving them the Holy Spirit.
i. When Paul writes by the twelve, he uses the term as a figurative title. At the first meeting of the resurrected Jesus with His disciples, Thomas was absent and Judas had killed himself. But they still were known as the twelve.
ii. “Perhaps the term twelve is used here merely to point out the society of the apostles, who, though at this time they were only eleven, were still called the twelve, because this was their original number.” (Clarke)”