The Praise of the "Oncewere's"

Ephesians 2:1

In Ephesians 2, Paul presents a compelling picture of humanity’s state before Christ’s intervention, emphasizing the magnitude of God’s mercy in rescuing us from spiritual death. Paul’s argument illustrates that the origin of our praise, testimony, and love for others is deeply tied to our understanding of what God has done. Our capacity to praise sincerely, to love others genuinely, and to live fully in Christ depends on how profoundly we grasp the depth of our former spiritual deadness and the miracle of salvation. To appreciate the power of God’s grace, we must see the depth of darkness from which He has lifted us. This journey from death to life reveals that the fullness of our Christian life is inextricably linked to the understanding of what we once were, and what God has done to make us alive in Christ.