Ephesians 2:1-10 Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. It is important to realize that the biblical definition of life means life in Christ Jesus. Apart from him, you are spiritually dead and once you die a natural life, you will indeed die a second and eternal death which is separation from your maker. With that being said, we are all born into sin and thus into spiritual death. In that state, we are separated from God and cannot come to him. Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me." For that reason, we must be born again. This time not of flesh and blood which leads to death. But born of the spirit which leads to life and union with God. We should be eternally grateful because while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Now the question becomes, "Do you believe?"