GOD’S GRACE TO YOU, BUT REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE!
GOD’S GRACE TO YOU, BUT REMEMBER WHO YOU WERE!
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. —Ephesians 4:7
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. —Ephesians 4:17-19
We who know Jesus we have been given a least one spiritual gift by grace through Him. Whatever gift or gifts are given to us, they are “the manifestation of the Spirit” in our lives which “is given for the common good” (I Corinthians 12:7). These gifts are not given for us, they are given to work through us for the common good of others. So let us be faithful in serving according to our gifts as they are used in the disciple-making process.
And let us “no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” That is how we used to walk (Ephesians 2:1-3).
The lost around us, those who have not trusted Jesus—
- Walk in the futility/vainness of their minds
- Are darkened in their understanding
- Are alienated from the life of God
- Are ignorant, keeping them from the life of God
- Are hard hearted
- Are callous
- Have given themselves up to sensuality
- Are greedy to practice every kind of impurity
Don’t forget, brother and sister, fellow followers of Jesus, this is how we used to live. Remember that as we seek to share the good news about Jesus with them. And let us praise God that He caused His light to shine in our hearts so we could call on Jesus (II Corinthians 4:6). Yes, let us thank our Father who drew us to Jesus (John 6:44) and have hope and expectation that there are others that God is doing the same work in as He did us. Let us be sensitive to the people around us, sharing the gospel with them. There are those that will respond, don’t give up. Trust God that in His time He will work in and through You to draw others to Jesus or to be a part of drawing others to Jesus… just like He did us!
Dear Father, it gives me great encouragement to know how You drew me to Jesus and I know that You are working in the lives around me, drawing some of them as well. Please help me to be sensitive to who and share the good news with them. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJVxJrUTwGU