Since no one showed last night, due to MANY different obstacles, I wanted to share with you what I learned in the verses of Ephesians 2:1-3. Now I use NIV, yes I'm a sinner. And this was what I got last night. Understand that in different seasons of your life, or mine, scripture will mean different things to you. Today John 3:16 could remind me of the overwhelming love that God has for his children and tomorrow it might remind me of the sacrifice that God gave. The scripture didn't change but changed its impact. CHALLENGE! Take one bible verse and read it daily for a month and see how many different things you see in that scripture in that month. Or do it the 19th of every month for a year. The different season can change things for you.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sin, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
The things that jumped out at me when I read this portion of scripture yesterday was gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. At the beginning of this portion of scripture, it's titled (In my bible) being made alive in Christ. To fully understand what that looks like we have to really focus on what the first part of that scripture says. You were dead. You followed the ways of this world. One time you were living among them. We hear the analogy of the cacoon to butterfly constantly when we talk about being reborn or 'coming alive in Christ.' 2 Corinthians 5:17 shows this perfectly.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.
The way we used to live or respond to situations, isn't how we are supposed to now. I love what Galatians 5:19-23 says:
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
It is evident that when we are made this new creation that we sacrifice our old ways for the new ways. And the reason that this has been so impactful for me is that I haven't been responding to situations the way I should lately. I've really had to check myself and my reaction. SIDE NOTE! That scripture doesn't say sadness. Psalm 34:18 it tells us that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
We have to look at both the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. When we react to things or respond to a situation we have to look at what we are operating in. The Flesh or the Spirit. And it's hard. It takes time to not respond in anger when things frustrate you. Ask my husband, I fail there. Go through your day today with the fruit of the Spirit. Even if you have to read the scripture over and over and over. We have to remember that we put to death the sinful nature, or our flesh, when we accepted Christ into our life. Does that mean that it instantly changes? No, but we are aware of it. Have a great and fruitful Wednesday!
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