#15 Ephesians
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Chapter two of Ephesians is going to teach us about being separated. Â Another word for separated is sanctified. Â We were spiritually dead, separated from God because of our sin, but through believing in Christâs finished work on the cross we are made alive (quickened). Â Because Christ rose from the dead by his own power, his spirit gives life to those who believe.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, Notice that there is a time element mentioned here. Â Time past, or before something happened. Â Before we believed and trusted the gospel of the Grace of God we walked like the rest of the unbelieving world. Â We walked according to the lust of our eyes and the want of our flesh with misplaced desires for ourselves rather than for God and his will, (2 Tim 3:4 ).
What is the course of this world? Itâs the present evil age (Gal 1:4) in the custody of the enemy, (2 Cor 4:4,) who has blinded the unbeliever to the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ.  Rom 1:18-32 details the worldâs course.
We are a three-part being: body, soul and spirit. Our default nature is prone to lust which is a desire to please ourselves above anyone else including God.
1 John 2:16 talks about the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of lifeâŚthis is the definition of the course of this world.
The lust of the flesh is seeking my own pleasure. Â What have I done in my life? Â What experiences have I had? Â What pleases me?
The lust of the eyes is seeking possessions. Â How much can I get? Â I want more than my neighbor has. Â Itâs all about getting more stuff and itâs never enough.
The pride of life is seeking power or praise. Â My position in society, work, intelligence, beauty, etc., is above everyone elseâs. Â What can I be so that other people will bring me praise?
In order to understand and appreciate Godâs grace, we need to feel the gravity and the eternality of our sin.  We still live in a fleshly body and we need to fight the desires of those things that will easily entangle us back into the course of this world.  The fight against these things is how we learn to walk after the spirit! Â
Forego seeking temporal pleasure in exchange for seeking the eternal glory of Christ.
Forego seeking possessions, for the riches and glory in Christ that are already yours. Â
Forego seeking your own praise for the praise of others and even more so God.
This is walking in the spirit and not after the flesh. Â















