We were dead in our sins.

Life is busy these days. I find myself defaulting to "survival mode" all too often, just simply trying to make it through these days without a major meltdown or an accidental nap. I quickly find myself living for me. I quickly forget that it's not about me. I forget the truths of the gospel, what has been given to me in Christ... I forget that I owe Him everything.

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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— 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."

- Ephesians 2:1-3

I was dead. Dead.

Dead in my sins. Following the course of this world, like the rest of mankind. Loving myself, pursuing my own passions and desires. A child of wrath.

But God...

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

- Ephesians 2:4-10

Saved. By grace. Through faith. And even this faith has been given to us. Saved... From what? Saved from ourselves, saved from the wrath of God, who could rightly and justly destroy us the moment we take our first breath. Saved to a new life in Christ. Covered in His blood. Set apart, as holy vessels, for His purposes. For His purposes and not our own.

I memorized most of this passage recently, and thinking on these few verses has been an encouragement and a challenge. I find myself amazed at these truths, and appalled a how quickly I forget them. Life would look so differently if I truly lived in light of these truths each day.

When I'm being yelled at by a customer for something out of my control... I'm quick to complain to coworkers after the fact, quick to think I deserve to be treated a certain way. But I was dead in my sins. It's only by God's grace that I can do any good thing. My heart should be filled with compassion. My words should be seasoned with grace.

When I am tired of writing papers, when school feels pointless... Again, I am quick to complain. Quick to want what I want. But I owe Christ everything. I must be a good steward, even in the little things, because I am representing Him and I must trust in where He has me in each and every moment.

When things change, when I am in the unknown, when life is confusing... I am quick to want the answers, quick to seek a solution and not a Savior. He has been so kind. I deserve nothing, yet He continues to lavish His grace on His children. If I would strive to focus my mind on these truths more and more each moment, life would change drastically. Ladies, let us not forget that we were once dead in our sins.

“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”
- Jonathan Edwards

We serve a kind, gracious, patient heavenly Father. But let us not forget how helpless we are apart from Him. Let us no continue in sin because grace abounds, but let that grace be a motivation for us to continue putting off sin and putting on the fruits of the Spirit. Let us be known as ladies with gentle quiet spirits, speech seasoned with grace, and lives that are not our own.