CONTENTS:-

• General Comments
• Commentary On Verses
• Some Questions for Bible Study Discussions

General Comments:-

I spent some time thinking about a good title for this passage, and I really like this one: "True love, here it is ..."!! :)

Commentary On Verses:-

"1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. "

Dead cannot "save" themselves nor raise themselves. This is the spiritual condition of a human before being "saved". Also, note the GREAT INFLUENCE of Satan ("prince of the power of the air") and his army of fallen angels on those. Read more about Satan and the spiritual warfare he wages.

Not only "dead", but a un-saved human has been living a life that is grossly offensive to God (as indicated in verse 3). Remember, some spit on God Jesus, some flogged him to near death, some nailed him to cross, and some crucified him. To all those, God is offering a second chance - can you believe it?

"4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. "

Again let's try to look into the "great" love that God has been lavishing on us. Quoting from "http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2016/11/how-far-would-god-go-to-love-you.html"

"One mind-blowing fact is that, God (the King of the Universe) is very willing to get hurt (A LOT) in His love for you or me. Think about it - How much are you willing to get hurt for others? Nobody likes to get hurt. And, for others? Jesus let others spit on him, torture him ((Isaiah 52:14: His “appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness”), publicly humiliate/mock him (i.e., Isaiah 53:3: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not"). He was hung up on cross, nailed, for about SIX hours. He took upon Himself the immense punishments of my dirty sins. ... And, He let all these immense hurts and sufferings happen to Him, because He loves you and me SO MUCH."

And, again, to all those who spit on God Jesus, flogged him to near-death, nailed and crucified him to cross, Jesus offered them second chance - A chance to be in heaven, seated with Christ Jesus!! Wow, really!! Who can do this to enemies? - Only an infinitely loving and forgiving God, I guess?!

Remember, in Old Testament, at times God calls His people harlots. Such are the heights of disobedience among people. God still offers forgiveness, salvation, seat in heaven with Christ Jesus, to such people, if they turn to God. Such is God's love. Again, quoting from http://devos20xx.blogspot.com/2016/11/how-far-would-god-go-to-love-you.html :

"In the Book of Hosea we see God asks prophet Hosea to marry adulterous Gomar (Hosea 1:2). After the marriage Gomar left Hosea for adultery (Hosea 3:1) but God still asked Hosea to win her back. This was to show that God remains faithful, even when people can be extremely unfaithful. This is God's crazy love for people! "

Now, perhaps, it is bit easier to comprehend verse 7: "immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us ".

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Yes God has plans for our lives (good to know that). We are not supposed to be idle or lukewarm (Revelation 3:15). One big question always has been - how do we know what work God has for me? Read this document for some thoughts on it.

Now you see, why I like this title for this passage:- "True love, here it is ..."! :)

We often ask "where is true love?!" - Here it is!! This is the kind of love our heart longs for.

Some Questions for Bible Study Discussions:-

• How much do you agree with the proposed title for this passage: "True love, here it is ..."?
• Enumerate some of the ways people live out “among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind (verse 3)”.
• Do you really understand how deep is Father God’s love for you? Reflect on that. Try to imagine.