The realism of Scripture helps us to clearly interpret our world - to despair in man and to delight in God. Paul exhorts believers to realise what has happened to us, that we have been raised from death to life. That we were dead is a spiritual description, showing our inability to respond to spiritual things, desiring a life devoid of God and at enmity with Him. All men are sinners by nature and we need to realise that sin can only be dealt with by God. 'But God...' reminds believers that we have been made alive in Christ, objects of His mercy, love and grace - our only grounds for boasting. As Christ's, we are new creations, children of God, His workmanship, created for good works. This should cause us to live for Him with every fibre of our being.