Chapters 2 & 3 are a theological reflection on salvation in the body of the exalted Christ. This part focus on Christians within the church. The idea is that if you understand your own salvation then you will able to clearly express it others. Paul’s idea is that since Christ’s salvation is for everyone, we need to be able to explain it clearly to people we meet to so that they can see that they can participate in it.
Chapter 2 is broken down into two basic parts:
2:1-10 Conversion from Death to New Life
2:11-22 Unity in Christ
2:1-3: Here we have the idea of being dead/not alive before we became Christians. This is a constant theme with Paul. Our sins are caused by the way the world works, and the evil spirit of the devil (note that Paul doesn’t name the evil spirit. That is because to use the name or title is to invoke it. This is like using “You know who” for Voldemort, in the Harry Potter books! R.K. Rowling is apparently a Christian does use a lot of Christian imagery in her books, despite what fundamental Christians say about the books leading children astray because they talk about magic.) The evil spirit is always among those at work who are disobedient to God.
Paul gives a list of how the evil spirit works:
Q: How do you think each of the below are reflected in Paul’s time and in our current time?
Workings of the Evil Spirit
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1st Century
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Today
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Passions of our flesh: Think of the 7 deadly sins – these are things that exist in the world.
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Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Laziness, Pride, Envy & Anger
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These carry over today.
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Following the desires of flesh and senses: This is making a choice that you will give in to sins that can hurt you and others
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Ex. Greed: Interest could be very high on a loan – 25% -- in the 1st century. It depended on the person to set the rate. Many people remained “indentured servants” to others because they couldn’t pay back loans.
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Greed: Price gouging of medical equipment
Envy: The idea that you deserve to have something that someone else has.
Pride: Entitlement but also not willing to ask for help
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Being children of wrath: This is the next step – you become angry that you don’t get what you want and become a selfish person.
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When you feel that you aren’t given what you think you deserve you become angry all time as well as abusive and egotistical.
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This hasn’t changed in our day and age.
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2:4-5 God is with us even when we are not with him. He gives us salvation through Grace.
Q. What do you think Paul means when he says that God is rich in mercy?
God give us Generous Renewing Actions of Compassion Eternally
Wesley’s Three Stages of Grace:
Definitions
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Examples: Ways to know God
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Prevenient: This means that something surrounds us without us being aware of it. EX. For us it is AIR – for a fish WATER
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Nature, Sunshine, Water/Ocean, Night Sky
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Justifying: This is the point that we encounter God’s love; know that God exists; and realize that we are God’s beloved child. We are loved even though we are not perfect.
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* When you come out of a serious illness
* When someone does something nice for you out of the blue.
* When you are forgiven by someone for something you did wrong.
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Sanctifying: Being aware of how God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are working in your life. You also look for God and ways to connect with God. You consciously try to grow in holiness.
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* For our church – Bob’s flower & bird reports
* Rainbows
* A good feeling – when you have the peace that passes all understanding
* Flashes of insight
* When Prayers are answered
* Wonderful Surprises
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Quote from Wanda: Life is full of surprises. Why should today be any different?
2:6-7 Once we are saved and start to participate in God’s Grace then we are eternally joined with God. This continues through many generations.
* Paul wanted people to realize that they were creating a church that would last for many generations.
* Historically, the development from a monarchial state to a democracy where everyone is equal under the law as everyone is equal under God.
2:8-10 Grace & Works
Works do not bring about the grace of God – the grace of God is there without works. But we are created for good works. God prepares things that we can do to become stronger and better Christians through our works that we dedicate to Christ.
* In the first century a lot of religions believed that you had to do something great or heroic (Good Works) to get into heaven. Christianity blew that apart by saying that everyone was worthy to go to heaven. The only caveat was that you had to open up your heart to God and establish a covenant relationship with Him. Good Works don’t get you into heaven, but they keep you on track with expressing your love for your neighbor and help you to continually develop into a more loving Christian.
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