A Letter to an Abuse Survivor: Ephesians 2

Dear Beloved,

Ephesians 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10

Perhaps one day you didn’t realize how dead you were. This was life. You put up with it. No hope.

But now, in Christ, you hurt as your heart is alive. A living heart feels, both joy and pain. You know a touch of Christ’s love. You know you were called to more than this—this abuse that has happened or is happening to you. In contrast, the person who is doing this to you or did it to you is dead (or was dead)—they could do evil and not flinch. You see what the desires of the body and mind result in. You see the powers of death and darkness at work in the world!

And perhaps you, when you were dead and following the prince of the power of the air, the prince who comes to kill and destroy and rob (John 10:10), perhaps you hated, desired revenge, numbed self, became bitter, angry, manipulated, hurt others. Also dead.  You had learned that love is gained or earned. You had to please. You had to perform. You had learned to feel love through hurt.

“Workmanship” in the Greek in verse 10 refers to a work of poetry, a masterpiece, a beautiful work of art. “created” here is only used for God’s work; your new creation in Christ something he alone can craft.

But God—how different he is from broken human beings! How different is his love! Because of his great love, God loved you—you!—while you were still dead. Still selfish. Still ignoring him. And God loved—not just emotional, mushy love. No, it was an active, sacrificial love. It was a powerful love, a love so powerful it acted. His love poured forth in action, in life to you. It was a love that made you alive and created a new heart in you (Ezekiel 36:25-27). It was a love that took you and seated you with him right now in an exalted spot. Think of it! He wanted you to be with him. No matter how shameful, dirty, worthless, unwanted you may feel, he chose you. Not because you performed or did something for him. He chose you.

Grace—you have a deep security. You are loved by him, the King of kings. Not because of works. But because of his great love. And he never changes. His love never changes. So no matter what changes the world throws at you, no matter what changes in your circumstances, no matter how you change, you will be loved.

You are endowed with a new purpose. Not a striving, earning, but a new purpose. You are clothed with grace—and now you are for the display of his grace. You are a beacon of light, a showcase of glory, a beautiful radiant masterpiece for all the world to see now and for the coming ages. He has lovingly refashioned you, recreated you, gave you new life and new birth in Christ Jesus to be for the praise of his glory. What a high and holy calling! By grace you will live out that calling, in his strength, by his ability, in his power, in his life, as you walk in him.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
    he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
    and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
² to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
    to comfort all who mourn;
³ to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
    the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
⁴ They shall build up the ancient ruins;
    they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
    the devastations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:1-4