Ephesians 2

Dead in Trespasses

Ephesians 2:1-3

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.

Because of Adam and Eve's original sin, we are all born into this world dead in trespasses and sin. The prince of the power of the air refers to Satan, and sons of obedience refer to people who live by the passions of their flesh.

Because we didn't know any better, we lived mainly to satisfy our flesh, and we followed the desires of our body and mind. We pursued worldly objectives with full thrust, whether that be money or pleasure.

By Grace Through Faith

Ephesians 2:8-9

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.

But God in His infinite goodness loved us first, and sent Jesus to shed blood and save us from the fallen world. We didn't earn our salvation, nor do we deserve it. It's fully mercy-based, a gift.

Because we didn't work for it, we cannot boast about ourselves. We can and should boast about God though.