Bassackwards: Still Hanging Out In Eph. 2

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world…4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”

Last time I checked people live and then they die.  That’s just how it works.  One day we’re born all naked and screaming.  We grow up, dream dreams, get married, get a job, have kids, retire, and die.  Usually in that order.  Sometimes the job and marriage thing gets flipped around.  Sometimes the “have kids” thing gets out of order as well.  Okay, sometimes everything happens out of order.  Everything except for the fact that you are born, you make lots of decisions, and then you die.  I think we can all agree on that.  However…

Jesus changes everything.  With Jesus, things tend to be Bassackwards.  Life is not always as it seems.  For instance:

• The first shall be last.
• The rich shall be poor.
• The master shall be the servant.
• The weak shall be strong.

You get the point.  According to Jesus, we die and then we live.  ”Once you were dead…But God is so rich in mercy!”  There’s nothing like a big but!  A big but says, God isn’t done yet so shut up and let the Man speak!  You were dead BUT now you are alive.  No if’s and’s or But’s about it, Jesus says that you die first and then you live.

Dying to live. Yes it’s cliche’ but it’s true.  I believe that a large chunk of the population have never started to live simply because they refuse to die.  I know death is scary but according to Jesus it isn’t the end but the beginning.

So, how do I die?  Great question.  We’ll talk about it tomorrow.