God is... Quickener

Quickener

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in your trespasses and sins” 

Ephesians 2:1

Perhaps this verse is most commonly quoted one when we think about being quickened. -And it’s a good one. (How can you miss? It’s in the Bible!) However, before we delve into the depths of “God, the Quickener,” I thought it would be good to define this unfamiliar old English word.

Greek: to live (literally or figuratively), to revive
Hebrew: to (re)vitalize (literally or figuratively)
Webster: 1, to make alive, to vivify, to revive or resuscitate as from death or inanimate state. 2, to make alive in a  spiritual sense, to communicate a principle of grace to. 3, to hasten, accelerate, make faster. 4, to sharpen, to give keener perception to, to stimulate, to incite, (as, to quicken the appetite or taste, to quicken desires). 5, to revive, to cheer, to reinvigorate, to refresh by new supplies of comfort or grace.
 To revive, make alive, to stimulate, to reinvigorate… Hmm. You just can’t replace those old English words! Though this word is mostly used throughout the Psalms, it is found in a few other places as well. Now, back to Ephesians 2:1.

 First, it is important to realize that you and I need quickening. Adam, the very first man, sinned. And because of that, all people are sinners. The consequence of sin is death. We are DEAD (spiritually, anyway) until God chooses to do something about that.

Wait! You mean I can’t do anything on my own?

That’s exactly what God says.

In John, Jesus reminds His disciples that no one can come to God except God draws Him. Think about it this way: God is a King. Kings have this rule, that, unless you are summoned, you cannot come to the throne room. If you approach uninvited, you will get your head cut off unless you get “lucky” and he extends his scepter to you.  Nothing you do, nothing you say will get you free passage to the King’s throne room… only an invitation.

So we’re doomed!

Well, not exactly. That same God who will “cut off” an intruder and send him to hell, hates that anyone should perish. So, He gave the invitation to everyone, with ONE condition. We can come before His throne as long as we wear the garment of His Son’s blood. -RIGHTEOUSNESS-

No one can come to the Father except He invites them. He invites everyone who accepts Him. Whoever accepts the garment of righteousness, He quickens. -He makes them ALIVE!

That’s the biggest thing I wanted to share with you. I’m so glad I accepted that garment of Jesus’ blood to cover my sin and make me righteous to God. And I’m very glad to be made alive!

But it doesn’t stop there.

The other way this word is used is in inciting desires, stimulating, cheering, and refreshing. When I am down, the Quickener cheers me. If I have sinned, the Quickener forgives me. Whenever I am dry, and my emotions don’t match the desire of my spirit, the Quickener stimulates my soul. He quickeneth all things!