“4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—“
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In the Greek verse four starts with “But God”, while some English translations do not.
Many commentators like this phrasing better than some English translations because it relays the Gospel message better.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “These two words, in and of themselves, in a sense contain the whole of the gospel.”
“But God” – tell what God has done, how God has intervened in what otherwise was an utterly hopeless situation.
Who is This God?
The nature of God
There are many views of who God is, but many are incorrect. God is the God of the Bible and the God of the Lord Jesus Christ
God is sovereign
Sovereignty means rule, so to say that God is sovereign is to say that God rules his creation.
He made it, and he is in control of it. Noting occurs without his permission. Nothing ever rises up to surprise him. What God ordains, comes to pass.
Thus Paul speaks positively/certainly of the future b/c God is in control of it.
The future is certain b/c the all-powerful, sovereign God determines it.
God is holy
God is a moral God who opposes everything sinful
Sin will be punished; righteousness will be exalted in his universe.
This ties in with God’s holiness
It is the outworking of his holiness against all that is opposed to it.
For this reason, our unsaved state is a scary state, because God is not indifferent to our sin
This is God’s universe. He is the holy God. And our sin has introduced a foul blemish into it. He is opposed to sin and is determined to stamp it out.
In our sinful state, instead of coming to him to find new life and righteousness, we run from him to wickedness and spiritual death.
What Has God Done?
Read quote (Boice 53)
Our pre-salvation state is hopeless for three reasons:
First, we are dead in our transgressions and sins
We can no more help ourselves spiritually than a corpse can improve its condition
Cannot respond to the gospel anymore than the dead can respond to our words
Dead=hopeless
Second, we are enslaved by sin.
Although we are dead in sin, we are alive to perform wickedness
Third, we are under God’s just sentence for our transgressions
We are by nature objects of wrath (v.3)
“But God” intervened sovereignty and righteously in each area
First, in response to us being are dead in our transgressions and sins
Although we were dead in sins…v.5 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—“
This reiterates the point made about spiritual death in v.1, though now with reference to Jews and Gentiles alike. (O’Brien 165)
“us” is inclusive
Like Lazarus, we have been raised from the dead.
John 11:43 – “When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."”
Jesus’ voice brings life into us as well.
This is not bringing us back to life as we knew it, but rather a new life, with a new master, and a new standard of righteous living to pursue.
Second, in response to us being enslaved by sin
v.6 –“ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”
We have been raised, not as slaves, but as free men and women. “
Sin’s shackles have been broken and we are freed to act righteously and serve God effectively in this world.”
“made alive” is implicit of the forgiveness of sins and liberation from the tyrannical forces of the world, the devil, and the flesh.
Third, in response to us being under God’s just sentence for our transgressions
B/c of Jesus, we are no longer objects of God’s wrath because He suffered in our place. Now we are objects of (v.7) - so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
This is a complete reversal or our sinful condition stated earlier (Obrien 164)
Read John R. Stott quote (Boice 54)
Why Did God Do It?
Grace
It pleased God to do it
Paul uses four words to explain why:
Love (v.4) – because of his great love for us
Notice the word “great” here. It emphasizes his love for us.
God’s love for his people in Christ is referenced heavily in Romans (see 5:5, 8; 8:39)
Mercy (v.4) – Mercy flows from love. Mercy has the sense of favor being shown when the opposite is deserved.
We do not receive God’s wrath because he is merciful. Instead of our deserved condemnation, he saved us through Christ.
References to God “abounding in mercy” – Ex. 34:6, Ps. 103:8, Jonah 4:2, & Micah 7:8
Grace (v.5) – v.5 is similar to v.8-9. Grace means that there is no cause in us why God should have acted as he did.
We are not owed something. Thinking that when God doesn’t do something that it is not fair is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is God’s favor to the utterly undeserving.
Kindness (v.7) – When we sin (daily), no matter how aweful, God doesn’t strike us down or turn on us, but rather, he is kind.
We are protected from the worst of sin’s consequences and we are e drawn back to obedience and virtue.
God acts because he IS love, mercy, grace, and kindness.
It is “his own gracious and merciful character.”
God is not only love, mercy, grace, and kindness, but also sovereign, holy, and full of wrath against sin.
What Must I Do?
We are saved by grace alone.
Since we are saved, “let this great love of God move you to the heights of consecration and activity.”
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
John Calvin quote (Boice 56)
Application
Do the words “But God” encourage you to trust him in all things? If not, why?
Ignorant of God – 1 Cor. 2:9-10
Tempted to Sin – 1 Cor. 10:13
Foolish, weak, ignoble – 1 Cor. 1:27-29
Victim of other people’s ill will (now or in the future) – Gen. 50:20
If you understand those two words – “but God” they will save your soul. If you recall them daily and live by them, they will transform your life completely.
What God has accomplished in Christ, he has accomplished in us (O’Brien 166)
Act accordingly
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