1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in 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. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But God made me alive...
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
And now I am God's workmanship, with work to do!
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God is working on me. God is working in me. God made me alive with Christ -- I was dead at that point and couldn't do anything. But God raised me up! Why? To display his own grace and kindness, to the praise of his glory. When all things are brought together under God, I will be there praising him along with the rest of all creation. Hallelujah!
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