God has made us alive with Christ. Now why Paul talks about this becomes clearer in the next chapter of Ephesians. But since we're skipping that chapter in this series, I'll make a brief comment now. It points us to the truth that we are in a position of power and authority over the devil, because we rule with Christ in heaven, even though we are still suffering down here on earth. As we enter this 21st century, the spiritual issues that concerned the Ephesians are more important than ever.
Materialism is on the way out.
Spirituality is back on the agenda in our post-modern world. The New Age claims to be the next evolutionary step in religion. Superior to Christianity. The next stage in humanity's spiritual evolution. In reality, New Age religion is just one of the inferior religions that Christianity replaced in the first place, trying to make a comeback.