Ephesians 2:4-7

In Christ Jesus

Just as God's justice and righteousness called for wrath upon sinful man, his abundant mercy flowing out of his multi-faceted love caused him to make provision for lost mankind. He made that provision while Jew and Gentile were dead in sin, or spiritually separated from God. Those made alive through baptism have had God's unmerited favor bestowed upon them and been saved through one action which was completed in the watery grave (2:4-5). Scripturally speaking, salvation can be in the future, based upon one's obedience to the Lord's will; in the present because of an act recently completed; or in heaven, the final home of the redeemed (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:47; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10; Hebrews 9:28). Thus, one can be spoken of as being a part of those who have been saved from their past sins yet still needing to act in a manner necessary to their ultimate salvation in heaven (1 Corinthians 5:1-5; Acts 8:18-24).

Everyone who has been buried with Christ and come up out of the waters of baptism has been raised from spiritual death (Colossians 1:1213). Remember, the church is God's heavenly kingdom on earth (Ephesians 1:3). When one is raised from the waters of baptism, he is placed in Christ Jesus, or in heavenly places, which is the church. God's ultimate design for those "in Christ Jesus" is to show them clearly the great wealth of his grace in heaven. The "ages to come" appear to this writer to refer to the eons we will spend in heaven. Throughout that unending span of time we will be constantly reminded of God's great unmerited favor for us by the joys which will surround us (2:6-7).