Ephesians Chapter 2 Bible Study Workbook.pdf

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. The ruler of the kingdom of the air is the devil. Sinners follow the cravings of their sinful nature, the desires and thoughts of their sinful nature, and the ways of this world.

Aside from the obvious sacrifice of Jesus Christ, one of the greatest human acts of mercy or love that I have witnessed or heard of is the story of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch woman who risked her life to save hundreds of Jews during World War II.

Mercy and grace are not the same thing. Mercy is the withholding of punishment that we deserve, while grace is the giving of something we don't deserve. You can have one without the other, but they are often used together.

The devil is also known as the tempter, the father of lies, the prince of this world, the evil one, and the accuser of the brethren.

Our salvation is given to us because we were dead in our transgressions and sins, because of God's great love for us, and because it is by grace we have been saved. People's lives before salvation are described as follows:

I was dead in my transgressions and sins.
I was living according to the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air.
I was gratifying the cravings of my sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.
I was by nature an object of God's wrath.
I was excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise.
I was without hope and without God in the world.
I was far away from God.
I was a foreigner and an alien.
I was without access to the Father.
I was a stranger and an outsider.