Ephesians 2

Paul describes the great rescue. We were “dead in the trespasses and sins,” following the world, the devil, and the flesh, and “by nature children of wrath.” “But God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ,” raised us up, and seated us with Him — “by grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” for we are His workmanship, created for good works. Then Paul turns to reconciliation: Christ is “our peace,” who has broken down “the dividing wall of hostility” between Jew and Gentile, creating “one new man” and reconciling both to God in one body, so that all are “fellow citizens” and a holy temple, “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”