Ephesians 2 5-6 explain verses

Answer 1

Ephesians 2:4-7 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, 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 ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. The context of this section of scripture is Paul's letter to the believers in the city of Ephesus. Paul has a pattern that he typically follows in his letters. First he usually praises the readers for their faith and faithfulness. Then Paul covers the the love and kindness God has shown them in what He has done for them in Christ. Then Paul typically goes into instructions on how to act and what things to do. This is typical of a relationship based on grace, that we do (good) works because of what God has done for us, rather than doing things for God in order to receive something in return. These verses tell us that God reached down and saved us when we were still dead in sin. This is critical in order to see that it is a work of grace on God's part that we are saved at all. God doesn't save any of us because of anything we do, but rather because it is part of His great plan and His love for us. We also see that salvation is not just escaping the wrath of God and eternity in Hell. Instead, salvation is provided so that "in the ages to come" (eternity) God will shower continuous blessings on us. Finally, it is wonderful to see salvation from God's point of view. After all, it is His salvation given to us. God views us and the events surrounding us from His perspective. What does He see? He sees us "in Christ." This shows both the magnitude and certainty of salvation. Theologians call these truths "positional," versus "behavioral." Being saved God declares us to be "in Christ." This is our position according to God. When God sees a believer He sees him in Christ, included in all that Jesus did in life, death and resurrection. Salvation is a completed work. You can do nothing to effect being saved except to believe, and you most certainly can do nothing to enhance something that's declared as already completed. God has placed us "In Christ" as Christ is today, in heaven. Why does this matter? Until we begin to see ourselves as God sees us we will have great difficulty in the Christian life. God has declared us to be In Christ at the time we believe. Where is Christ? Seated at the right hand of God the Father. For how long? Forever. This is not something to be felt. This is to be believed. God declares us to be In Christ. Now. This is not a temporary condition. The only way our position could change is if Jesus changed, because we are "in Him." Knowing this we are empowered to live according to the Spirit and in the Spirit's power. A heavenly citizen requires a heavenly position and heavenly power. This is realized when we believe God, just as when we were saved. Those who are saved by faith are commanded to walk by faith. There's an awful lot packed into the first two chapters of Ephesians. It's a lot to digest. But doing so is critical in order to have the mindset necessary to enjoy and walk in God's power.

Answer 2

Paul is saying it was already a pre-ordained plan that we would be reconciled through Jesus. Therefore we are now children of God through adoption by way of the blood of Christ and we cannot attribute it to anything other than God's grace.