The Preeminent Purchaser of Your Soul

“God you will love.” I sometimes remind my children that Biblical Greek reads like the writings of Yoda. It is strange for the English reader because word order determines meaning to us. Not so in the Greek. Words are not sequenced for meaning, but emphasis. A word positioned at the beginning of the sentence is usually an indication of prominence. This is the case for Ephesians 2:10. It reads like this: “His for we are workmanship.” Sounds like Yoda, right?

The author intends for you to apply preeminence to the word “his” in order to be mindful of the preeminent theme of God. He is the emphasis. He is the focus. He is the first to see when learning to walk confidently in Christ. Therefore, the first step to take is to recognize that the renovation of your soul is a work that begins and ends with God.

Our approach to Ephesians 2:10 is to see it in light of its context. It is a potent summary of a powerful pericope. Beginning with the first verse, we quickly see that we are like condemned homes, dead and useless, even hazardous to the world (Eph. 2:1-3). “But God,” according to the text, completely renovated our lives making us alive and useful to Him (Eph. 2:4-9). This is God’s soul renovation program. God makes new life for new living.

In Ephesians 2:10, we discover seven reasons why we should walk confidently in the footsteps of Christ. The first reason is found in the first word—God. More specifically, it is the possessive pronoun—God’s. The spiritual transformation we experience as Christians begins with God, comes from God, and belongs to God.

Your Soul Renovation Begins with God

Remember that we were “dead” in our sins (Eph. 2:1). Dead people are good for one thing—stinking. They otherwise can do nothing else, at least nothing good (Rom. 3:10-12). Dead people require an outside source to bring them alive—ergo, God. “He chose us” (Eph. 1:4). “He predestined us for adoption” (Eph. 1:5). According to “his will” and “his purpose” (Eph. 1:9) and “his plan” are we completely renovated (Eph. 1:10). God is the initiator of our salvation.

Your Soul Renovation Comes from God

God is not only the initiator, He is also the supplier. No home renovator buys a house to let it rot. Rather, he is invested in the house. He wants to see it completely new—polished and pure. Ephesians describes God as being rich in forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), rich in knowledge (Eph. 1:18), rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4), rich in grace (Eph. 2:7), rich in truth (Eph. 3:8), and rich in power (Eph. 3:16). As the purchaser of your soul, he has an unlimited storehouse of resources and tools at His disposal. God is the supplier of our salvation.

Your Soul Renovation Belongs to God

I’m no expert on sports, but I hear that buyers of professional teams make all the difference. The team depends on his capital, his choices, his desires, his resolve, his strategy, his wisdom. He can make or break the team. In the same way, God makes all the difference. We depend on His infinite genius and unending fountain of sovereign grace. The work is His because the soul is His. The end is therefore His to determine. Salvation is a divine investment. God’s glory is at stake.

Does this stir up your confidence in God? Are you motivated to walk in Christ knowing that the work that God is doing in you begins with Him, comes from Him, and belongs to Him? If so, it’s time to walk in Him.

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