Despite its status as a ‘Christian nation,’ many individuals in Zambia merely identify as Christians, because they were born into Christian families. Christianity is the preferred religion nationally, but many people’s professions are empty. When asked to provide a testimony of their salvation, many Zambians can’t articulate one. Often, they believe they are saved through good works; or because their parents or guardians are Christian. Consequently, there is a pressing need to deepen the understanding of salvation within Zambian communities.
When asked to provide a testimony of their salvation, many Zambians can’t articulate one.
This article seeks to examine the essence of Ephesians 2:1-10 and its application to the Zambian context, as well as Africa at large. Ephesians 2:1-10 stands as a cornerstone in Christian theology, articulating the profound transition from spiritual death to life, through God’s grace by personal faith.
The Universal State: Spiritual Deadness
Ephesians 2:1-3 paints a grim picture of humanity’s natural state. Paul begins by reminding the Ephesians that they were once “dead in their transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). The metaphor of death signifies a total separation from God. Furthermore, it highlights our inability to respond to his call. This spiritual deadness is universal. It affects all people, regardless of tribal, cultural or national identity. It means that despite the Zambia being identified as a Christian nation in the constitutional preamble, every individual must recognise their inherent spiritual deadness and need for God’s intervention.
The metaphor of death signifies a total separation from God.
The term “dead” here does not imply physical death but a spiritual one. It’s indicative of a life separated from God’s righteousness. Paul further explains that this state of death is characterised as following “the ways of this world”; being under the influence of “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). This description is particularly relevant to the Zambian community, where traditional beliefs and practices often acknowledge the influence of spiritual entities and ancestral powers. This state of spiritual deadness influences all of life. It manifests as hatred, tribalism, rape, corruption, murder, prostitution, and dishonesty. These realities are marks of being spiritually dead, not a Christian nation.
God’s Mercy and Love: The Catalyst for Change
Despite this bleak depiction of humanity’s natural state, Ephesians 2:4-5 introduces a profound shift. “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.” Here, Paul demonstrates the transformative power of God’s mercy and love. This divine intervention is not driven by human merit. It is exclusively by God’s mercy and grace.
Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, received through faith.
In the Zambian context, this concept challenges the notion that spiritual freedom can be achieved through national declaration, or rituals, ancestral appeasement, and human efforts. Instead, it emphasises that salvation is a gift from God. Salvation is motivated by God’s love and mercy. This truth calls Zambian Christians to rely entirely on God’s grace. Simultaneously, it calls Christians in Zambia away from national declaration, traditional practices or personal righteousness.
Faith and New Life
Ephesians 2:6-7 continues unpacking the believers’ new identity in Christ. “God raised us up with him [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly realms.” This participation in Christ’s resurrection signifies a complete transformation, where believers are no longer bound by the power of sin and death.
This newfound freedom transcends cultural and tribal divisions.
For Zambia and Africa at large, this new identity challenges the fear and bondage associated with ancestral spirits, witchcraft, murder, prostitution, corruption, and tribalism. It offers a profound sense of salvation and empowerment, rooted in the knowledge that believers are united with Christ in his triumph over all spiritual adversaries.
This newfound freedom transcends cultural and tribal divisions. Furthermore, it fosters unity among Christians as they recognise their shared identity in Christ. In Christ we become members of his body. And in this manner, any person that claims to be a Christian is therefore challenged to be a member of a Bible-believing church.
Salvation: By Grace Alone Through Faith
Paul then emphasises the mechanism of this transformation in Ephesians 2:8-9. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This declaration reinforces the principle that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, received through faith. It is not a result of human effort or merit, but a gift that God gives freely.
Salvation is not a result of human effort, but a gift that God gives freely.
This doctrine of salvation by grace through faith holds important implications for Zambia. It calls individuals to embrace faith in Christ. For he is the only means of salvation. This faith is not a passive acknowledgment; it is an active trust in God’s promise and power to save.
Living Out the New Creation
Finally, Ephesians 2:10 concludes the section, highlighting the purpose of this divine transformation. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This is the essence of the Christian life; it’s a life marked by good works, which flow from a transformed heart.
Practical application of faith serves as a powerful witness to the surrounding community.
In the Zambian context, this calls believers to live out their faith in tangible ways that reflect God’s love and justice. It encourages them to engage in acts of compassion, service, and integrity. Only these aren’t means to earn salvation. They are expressions of the new life we’ve received in Christ. This practical application of faith serves as a powerful witness to the surrounding community, demonstrating the reality of God’s transformative power.
Zambia Can Become What the Constitution Calls It
Ephesians 2:1-10 teaches us that salvation comes by grace through faith. For the Zambian community, this challenges traditional beliefs and calls for a recognition of our spiritual deadness and the need for God’s transformative mercy and love. This passage invites us to true spiritual life. These break down cultural and tribal barriers, uniting us with Christ Jesus as one people.
Furthermore, it urges us to live out our faith through good works, reflecting our new life in Christ. Embracing this understanding can lead to a profound renewal in our community, rooted in God’s unmerited favour and expressed in love and service. Only then will it make sense for us to identify ourselves as a Christian nation, as declared in our constitution.
