Alive with Christ

(Colossians 2:6–23)

2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world [and] of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit [who is] now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3 All of us also lived among [them] at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh [and] indulging [its] desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made [us] alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. [It is] by grace you have been saved! 6 And [God] raised [us] up with [Christ] and seated [us with Him] in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, [demonstrated] by [His] kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For [it is] by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.[fn]