There are few passages in the Bible that more clearly define the saving work of Jesus than in Ephesians 2:4-5. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”

 

Now, hold on a second. There’s more to that verse isn’t there? Paul adds that “It is by grace you have been saved.”

 

But why does he need to say that? Not only does he break the entire flow of his sentence (if you keep reading), but he also says the exact same thing in verse 8 when he’s finished his thought.

 

Here’s what it comes down to, the Apostle Paul just described how we were dead in our sins, so if we’re to live it’s going to be something outside of us that makes this happen.

 

He’s emphasizing this unconditional act of God; Paul can’t even finish his train of thought without pointing to how utterly free this is.

 

There is nothing more one-sided than one person raising another from the dead. We understand that physically, but in order to live fully dependent on God we need to let it change us spiritually too.