What did God do for us when we were dead, hopeless, and helpless?
When we were dead, hopeless, and helpless, God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love, quickened us together with Christ. He saved us by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
Les emphasizes the pivotal phrase "But God" in Ephesians 2. He contrasts it with "but you" or "but I"—salvation is not initiated by us. Les illustrates this with Israel at the Red Sea: they were locked in with nothing they could do, but God opened the sea, and they walked through on dry ground. That is exactly what God has done for us. We were all among the children of disobedience, living in the lusts of the flesh and mind, by nature children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead, hopeless, and helpless, quickened us together with Christ. Then Les closes with the choice verses: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." It is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not something earned, as Les asks, "Do you work for a gift?"
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
How did God make us alive when we were dead in sins?
God made us alive by quickening us together with Christ. This was accomplished by grace, not by works. Although we were dead in the sins produced by the old Adamic nature, He gave us life in union with Christ, entirely apart from works.
What condition were we in when God made us alive with Christ?
We were dead, hopeless, and helpless, by nature children of wrath, living according to the desires of the flesh and mind, among the disobedient. We had done nothing to deserve it; God, rich in mercy and great love, quickened us together with Christ. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of yourselves.
More Questions
What did God do for us while we were dead in sins according to Ephesians 2:5?
Even when we were dead, hopeless, and helpless, God quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ.