This is EXACTLY What Happened!
“Therefore remember that formerly you,
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 2: 11-12 NASB)
the Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ,
excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers to the covenants of promise,
having no hope and
without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus
you who formerly were far off
have been brought near
by the blood of Christ.”
The Reverend Billy Graham once said:
“Don’t be bound by the past and its failures,
But don’t forget its lessons either.”
Israel was in a dark place and walking (metaphorically) toward exile from the land God had promised their forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Destruction was coming; captivity was coming; and despair was coming too. God’s prophet Jeremiah suffered for righteousness’ sake.
“I am the man who has seen affliction
(The Lamentations of Jeremiah 3: 1-3 NASB)
Because of the rod of His wrath.
He has driven me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
Surely against me He has turned His hand
Repeatedly all the day.”
Darkness covered the land of Israel and darkness permeated the hearts of the children of God.
- They had drifted away from the Lord.
- They had made bad choices.
- They had discredited the name of Jesus.
- They had left their first love.
The LORD of Israel will one fulfill the promises He made. This is what God gave His prophet Jeremiah to proclaim to the children of Israel.
Where can the world find HOPE?
This is the message God gives His children to proclaim today.
- To those who are walking away from God. &
- To those who have not met the light of the world—JESUS CHRIST.
Biblical HOPE is a divine partnership.
- We who believe must trust the Lord and never forget His lessons of our past.
- We who are called Christians must never walk away from our first love.
God’s GRACE is far greater than anything we could ever imagine for this side of eternity.
The LORD’S MERCIES are not consumed! & The LORD’S GRACE never fails!
“Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh,
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 2: 11a & 12b NASB)
. . .
having no hope and without God in the world. . . .”
- This is EXACTLY who I once was—before Jesus Christ!
- This is EXACTLY What Happened—when God performed a spiritual circumcision in my heart!
“But now in Christ Jesus
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 2: 11-12 NASB)
you who formerly were far off
have been brought near
by the blood of Christ.”
JESUS CHRIST—THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD—HE LIVES IN US!
- May we take HIS LIGHT into this dark world.
- May we share HIS HOPE as we go today.
- May we testify of GOD’S FINAL RESTORATION guaranteed by JESUS’ RESURRECTION & the coming of HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
Especially now in this Season of Advent, in remembering the coming of the Messiah as a babe in a manger—
MAY WE BE WITNESSES OF THE HOPE FOUND ONLY IN JESUS!