“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:8-11
Dead. Once walked. Once lived. All past, behind, no more. Alive. With Christ. Saved. Walking in good works. Now, actively present, ongoing, eternal. What we were before Christ is gone and made into the forever new of what we are in Christ. Paul understood and was constantly moved by what God had done for him, and made perfectly clear that Jesus changes everything. Separated, alienated, far off strangers without hope are brought near, made whole, reconciled in peace as fellow citizens of the saints. What lavish kindness! What wonder! (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Ephesians 2:12-19)
In the flesh, it is hard to reconcile these truths. We might profess to believing them, give lip service in conversation or song, yet easily fail to act as new creations. We claim sins forgiven and freedom from its clutches, yet repeatedly succumb to former habits, errant ways, and temptation. When will we walk fully in the freedom of ‘I was, but am now’? (John 8:32,36; Romans 6:6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)
What of my old life will I name today and renounce forever? What astounding truth can I cling to in gratitude and confidence? Alongside whom will I walk in sanctifying freedom with Christ?
“All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs,
all my thoughts and words and doings,
all my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform his bidding,
let my feet run in his ways;
let my eyes see Jesus only,
let my lips speak forth his praise.
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
so enchained my spirit’s vision,
looking at the Crucified.
O what wonder! How amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
deigns to call me his beloved,
lets me rest beneath his wings.” ~Mary James (1810-1883)
Lord, in the freedom You won, may I live all for You!
As the rain and snow 