How could this be? I was awestruck and shocked as I walked past my climbing rose bush. Japanese beetles had pretty much demolished the bush weeks before; the stems were bare and it looked absolutely dead. But this day, not only were there leaves, but several new buds getting ready to open, here in September! What a transformation! (It was like from death to life).

Ephesians 2:1 tell us: “And you has He quickened (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Did you realize that before we trust Jesus as our Savior, that’s what we are–dead–dead in our sins! Why is that? Because when Adam sinned in the garden, that sin was passed on to each and everyone of us. We are born in sin, born as a sinner and headed to hell. Not a pretty picture, is it? But, I’d like you to think about my rose. Although we’re “dead;” because of what Christ did on the cross (dying for our sins), when we acknowledge we are sinners and trust Him as our Savior, God quickens us (makes us alive) in Christ Jesus. Later in that same chapter it says:

“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works.” Eph. 2:8,9

From death to life – wow! Pretty amazing and it’s a gift. But God also wants us to be like that rose bush and bloom! He wants us to look alive in Christ, be alive in Christ, let the world know you belong to and are in Christ.

If you are a child of God, you are on your way to heaven – that’s our hope. Don’t be “down-faced,” fearful, or worried. Remember – you are not dead – but alive!