City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

Ephesians 2:4-5

Reflection

Imagine a movie where every character is a zombie. There are no normal people, only zombies walking around, occasionally devouring one another. The plot would be nonexistent. It would be a horrible movie. If we measure normal human life from a heavenly perspective, it’s like this bad movie.

This is Paul’s context behind “when we were dead in trespasses.” He insists to the Ephesians that only God’s merciful love would find value in them as they once were. They were once the walking dead with no hope and nothing to offer. But now, for these Christians, their life is Christ’s resurrected life. They have been graciously rescued from the zombie life and this new life transcends that pointless existence. 

Application

Just as Paul and the Ephesians of the first century, we live in a world held hostage to spiritual forces that dictate the course of everyday human existence. These forces are behind all of the conflict and destruction we witness in history, on the news, and in our own relationships. The bad zombie movie continues.

However, If you trust Jesus, you have been rescued, and we have been made a transcendent people, made aware of and released from bondage to these forces. Hallelujah! We should not hold back our love and worship for the One who loved us to such lengths, even when we didn’t deserve it. Take time today to worship the Lord for everything about Him is worthy of it.

Next, it’s important for us to actively seek for the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. We must submit to the Spirit’s training so that our zombie habits–living within our own strength–can be replaced with habits of reliance on God’s action around us and through us.

Finally, as God’s Spirit reveals spiritual realities which control the people and systems that you encounter, expect to find that your influence is beginning to change them. Your transcendent life comes with power to bring about the reign of Jesus, on Earth as it is in the heavens.

Prayer

Father, ruler of the universe,

Praise to You because of all of the things You have done. (Feel free to elaborate)
May Your Holy Spirit be with me today. How should I arrange to be reminded of your presence with me? (Wait for an answer – God will speak to you)
As I acknowledge your presence throughout this day, show me Your perspective of the people around me, my work, and the breaking in of Your Kingdom.

Amen