Welcome to Episode 13 of our Ephesians podcast series. In this episode, David Christensen continues through Ephesians 2, arriving at one of Scripture’s most decisive turning points: “But God…”
After describing humanity’s condition as spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1–3), Paul now explains God’s saving action. Salvation is not initiated by human effort or cooperation, but by God alone, who is rich in mercy and motivated by great love.
Paul teaches that even when we were dead in sin, God made us alive together with Christ. This act of salvation is entirely gracious. Human inability necessitates divine action. Dead people cannot make themselves alive, and therefore salvation must be wholly God’s work, from beginning to end.
This passage establishes a foundational truth for Christian faith and life: we were dead, but God made us alive, by grace.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why salvation begins with “But God”, not human effort
- What it means that God is rich in mercy
- Why human sin makes self‑rescue impossible
- How God makes sinners alive together with Christ
- Why salvation is by grace alone, not performance
This episode clearly distinguishes between what humanity is by nature and what believers become by grace. God alone makes the dead alive.
About Pastor David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.)
Founder and president of The Rephidim Project, David has served pastors and church leaders worldwide through expository preaching and training, after 28 years as preaching pastor at Galilee Church (Gorham, Maine) and service at New England Bible College as professor and academic leader. He’s authored six books and continues to champion faithful Bible exposition.
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