“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6-7
For the past few days, we have been looking at the choices made by people in the Bible, good and not good. But the Scriptures recorded them all as examples for us.
When I was reading Ephesians yesterday, the above verses stood out to me. Paul wrote this letter to the church at Ephesus, commending them for their faith. He reminds them that they had made a choice to serve the Lord with all their hearts and He had blessed them abundantly for it. The New Living Translation says that they would be examples to all future ages:
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So, God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”
As we read their story, it gives us faith and assurance that we can share the same experience they did. When we choose to give our lives completely to the Lord and invite His Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, we become one with Christ. He gives us a little bit of heaven down here. The way we live will affect those around us. Our desire should be to live so that others will desire to know the Lord as well.
We may have made some wrong choices in the past, and today are living with the consequences of those choices. But we serve a God of second chances. As we confess our failures, the Lord forgives and restores our relationship with Him. He can take the broken pieces of our lives and put them back together again, producing something beautiful.
It is never too late to make a new choice. If you find yourself on the wrong road because of choices you have made in the past, stop, turn around, find the right direction in the Word of God, and walk in the way that the Lord leads.
II Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word and for the examples and direction that you have given us. Help us to make the right choices and be ready for your coming.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
