Ephesians | Session 9 | 2:6-9

Today we find ourselves in Ephesians 2:6-9 where the Apostle Paul declares that we have been raised with Christ to sit in heavenly places, so that one day he will show the exceeding riches of his grace toward us, and reminds us that our salvation was purely by grace and not anything that we could have done to deserve it.

Verse 6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: As such, we have been raised up together, and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is the position of the Body of Christ. The promises for Israel are earthly while those for the Body are heavenly. 

I see significance in the fact that he says that we are in heavenly places in Christ and not with Christ. We are in heavenly places now, but will some day by with him (Philippians 3:20). Les Feldick is very good at pointing out our place in Christ. The Body of Christ, Jew and Gentile, are now in Christ, but one day we will be with Christ. 

Verse 7: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Still building on the previous verse in some day in the future we will not only be in Christ but with Christ when he ultimately shows the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Verses 8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. We, the Body of Christ, are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, as such none of us have the right to boast. 

I do believe that the faith being referred to here goes back to Galatians 2:16 which is a reference to the faith of Jesus Christ.(Philippians 3:9). It is his faith that is the gift of God to all who believe in his death, burial, and resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). 

Grace is Not Exclusive 

It is also worthwhile to mention that grace is not exclusively to this dispensation. God has always shown grace since the beginning.