Even when we were dead in our trespasses.

Ephesians 2:1-10, And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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— 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. But 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— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Paul makes it abundantly clear that we have nothing to boast about. We once were dead and now He has made us alive in Christ. This did not come about by climbing some stairway to heaven, nor by the amazing good works that we have done, but by His grace through Christ Jesus. Most amazing of all, we are seated now with Him in the heavenly places, and He has prepared us for His own good works. We can go forth in confidence, that we are secure in Him, and that He has good works prepared for us every day to bring glory to His name!

Though the earth gives way we know that we need not fear, for You are our refuge and strength and a “very present help in trouble.” We delight to do Your will, O God, in the good works You have prepared for us!

ESV Lectionary