Without hope.
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
The reality in the world at Paul’s time was that people of non-Jewish birth did not have the same rights as the people of Jewish decent. At the time of Abraham, God made a promise to Abraham that he would bless his family line, give the land of Canaan to them and that many nations would come from him. To seal this promise or covenant, God instructed Abraham to circumcise all the males in his household. Circumcision was a sign that that individual and their families lived under the covenant God had made. To enter this covenant for the descendants of Abraham, all one had to do was to be born of Jewish parents and then for those parents to have you circumcised on the eighth day. Some foreigners married in or were bought as slaves and circumcised, but if you weren’t circumcised you were separated from citizenship in Israel.
For many this was a physical designation or national designation…which it was. However the picture of Israel always was intended to be a spiritual picture of the relationship God had with his people. Israel was the gathering of people who would put their faith in the true God and walked in the ways of the Lord.
So not only is Paul identifying a physical reality (excluded from Israel) but most importantly he is addressing the spiritual reality…they were separated from God.
The result? Without hope…without God in this world.
Not only is this a reality for the people in Ephesus, but this is true for every individual who is separated from Christ and not a follower of the Lord.
What strikes me about this phrase is that people in Ephesus, like people today, had entities that they call “god” around them. At the heart of it all was the worship of Artemis, the fertility goddess. Yet in a subtle, yet direct way, Paul is telling them, if you were not worshipping the true God, you are without God.
How do you think this would settle today? We have a culture that has many things that are worshiped as God or in the place of God. Yet to the Buddhist, we can say, “They are without hope and without God.” The same could be said for the atheist, the Muslim, the wiccan, or the Mormon and yes even of the Jews. Why? Because they are all separated from Christ and have an idea and worship of a god that is NOT the true God.
The result? They are without hope. Perhaps you have had conversations with followers of other faiths and they seem very hopeful…but there is still an air of uncertainty. I’ve talked with a Muslim neighbor that “hopes” Allah will be merciful. I’ve talked with a Jehovah Witness who “hopes” Jehovah will count them good enough. I’ve talked with a Jew who hopes their goodness in life is good enough.
Apart from God, apart from Christ we are without hope because we are without the true God.
Not only is it others, but this was our condition as we came into the world. Not a great place to be…but it’s not where we stayed. Look for tomorrow’s devotion for what changes things!
Apply: When have you felt hopeless in this world? How did reconnecting with the Lord restore hope in your heart?
Prayer: Lord, we realize we had no claim on citizenship in your kingdom. We are grateful that your heart of love did not desire that we remain without you or without hope. Thank you for taking us from outside your kingdom and bringing us near to you. AMEN.
The blessing of Citizenship…
This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Citizenship.
For most of you reading this, you were probably born on American soil. With that birth certificate signed by a hospital on US soil, you were given the rights of American citizenship. You don’t have to pass a test, take a competency test or prove your loyalty to our country. By birth you were “in.” For a smaller portion of Americans, they went through a lengthy legal process that applied for citizenship and then included study of American history, taking a test and pledging their loyalty to our country.
It’s no wonder that the debate about illegal immigration rages on when the boarders of our country are to protect our citizens and what it means to be a US citizen. It’s a big deal. It’s an important matter.
For a US citizen, we are governed by our founding documents of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our branches of government, legislative processes, and judicial protections are guided by what is written in the documents. As a US citizen, we are invited to be part of the process to choose our representatives in government, respect our country and pledge allegiance to our flag.
The purpose of this devotion to start the week isn’t to be commentary on current political events, but simply to get us thinking about what it means to be a citizen of a country.
Because for the Christian, we also are a citizen of another kingdom: the kingdom of God. Great blessings are given to citizens of God’s kingdom and it comes with many rights and privileges. Yet we were not just simply born into this citizenship. We didn’t earn this citizenship, but rather it too is a gift of God’s grace. This week we will delve into these words of the Apostle Paul which teach us about this status we enjoy as a Citizen of God’s Kingdom:
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Apply: What do you think is the biggest blessing of being called a “fellow citizen with God’s people”?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessing of our country. We ask in this time of political upheaval that you would, as you have promised, guide all affairs for the blessing of your people and the proclamation of your Gospel. As we value our citizens as residents of this country, we ask you to enhance our love, appreciation, and activity for you by making us a citizen of your kingdom. AMEN.
What’s the point?
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Proclaiming grace is an amazing privilege. Every sermon I preach, I pray God’s grace is evident and obvious. If someone only listens to one message and it happens to be one I gave, I pray God’s Spirit can use it to bring the spiritually dead to life.
That being said, after many sermons, especially the first half of my ministry (I’m a slow learner), my wife would often ask at Sunday lunch, “So what? Jesus died for me. So what?”
Since then, in the back of my mind as I give a message, I keep the “so what” factor in mind.
Why? Not just because my wife encouraged it, but because the Scripture encourages it:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God saved us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for a purpose. He didn’t just save us FROM the consequence of our sin, he saved us FOR a divine purpose.
The cross of Jesus is not just a fact to believe, but a reality to live.
Why?
Because one who is alive, does alive things. God made us alive, even when we were dead in sins, to live for his purposes. He is the one that orchestrated our salvation to carry out the works he has prepared in advance for us to do.
So what does that mean? (A good Lutheran question…)
Through and through we are God’s workmanship. We ought never underestimate both the work God has done in our hearts to bring the dead to life and change our focus from serving self to serving the Spirit of God. It’s a work only God can do. He also has worked in us to develop a personality and skills, interests and abilities in order to use those to glorify him and be a blessing to others. He also is setting up opportunities around you for you to put the life he has given you into practice.
What might that look like for you today?
Are you headed to work? Perhaps the good work God is preparing for you is taking time to care for a fellow employee with a listening ear or a helping hand.
Are you at home today? Maybe God will put a friend or relative on your mind that needs a phone call, email or text to encourage them or just let them know they are being thought of.
Are you paying bills today? Maybe God is setting up an opportunity to realize again all the blessings he has given and express gratitude to him for it, while seeking opportunities to better steward and give he wealth he has given.
Are you playing sports today? Maybe God is setting up an opportunity to express good sportsmanship in the heat of competition where it would be easy for a harmful reaction to come out.
Are you alive today? Good! Perhaps it’s just asking the question, “God what are the good works you have prepared for me to do today? With this attitude, you will find yourself doing whatever is on your list today with a heart of peace, joy and gratitude, because you know God has organized this day for you to express your heart of faith. He is giving you opportunities to put into practice the work he has began in you and will carry on to completion.
He has given you a reason to live for him today!
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Apply: Note at the end of the day all the opportunities that God has given you to put your faith into action. Pray for opportunities each day to live out the life God has given to you to his glory and to be a blessing to the people around you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for orchestrating my salvation, but also my life to be lived to your glory. Forgive me for the many times I have missed the good works you have prepared. Open my eyes to see all the opportunities you give me today to glorify you. AMEN.
No claim but grace!
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
This verse is one that you have probably memorized at some point in your Christian life. As Lutheran pastor, I have used this verse many times to iterate the truth that our salvation is 100% God’s doing and not my doing. To claim otherwise would negate grace and claim a boast that is not mine.
While the verse is familiar, perhaps it is worth a few minutes of careful reflection.
“It is by grace you have been saved.”
Grace as we saw yesterday is God initiating action because of his great love for you to ensure that you will be in heaven with you. Grace is a gift of God. Salvation is a gift of God. The fact that you will enjoy heaven one day is a gift of God.
A gift is not something that you earn, it is purely an expression of love by the giver.
Our society, especially at Christmas, makes a gift something you get because you’ve been more “nice” than “naughty.” These messages communicate that we have a part in earning a gift. One earns a wage. A gift is given without any merit or performance.
Yet, we know a gift is ours because the giver puts our name on it. You have perhaps received a gift in the past that your reaction was, “You shouldn’t have.” or “I don’t deserve this.” You are right, the giver shouldn’t have and you don’t deserve it, but that’s what a gift is. Something we shouldn’t receive and don’t deserve but is given to us.
How do we know this gift of God is ours?
Simply go back to Ephesians 1
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Even the faith that apprehends this gift of God is God’s doing. As Paul says in Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
So what do we have to boast of?
Nothing.
God’s love is a gift.
The fact we are alive is a gift.
The reality that we will be in heaven is a gift.
Faith that believes this is a gift.
Grace is a gift.
So there is only one conclusion that brings absolute certainty to our status with God: Grace.
You are spiritually alive because of God’s amazing grace, love and mercy for you!
Apply: What certainty comes to you when you know you are a recipient of God’s gift of grace?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your overwhelming generosity that was willing to give me grace in spite of my sinful heart and life. I marvel that you would love me and give to me this wonderful gift. AMEN.
But…
This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
BUT…
I know as a kid when you were trying to explain why you did something and then followed it with…”but…” parents were not always willing to listen to the “…but…”, however, this BUT that starts verse 4 of Ephesians 2 is probably one of the most significant “but’s” in the Scripture. “But” is a conjunction that sets up a contrast between what was just said with what will follow. Sometimes those contrasts are minor. In this case, the contrast couldn’t be more stark.
If you need to, reread yesterday’s devotion on Ephesians 2:1-3. Spiritually dead is what we WERE due to a loyalty to the world, Satan’s lies, and our sinful flesh. The consequence was falling under the wrath of a just God.
BUT…
Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
The simple yet profound contrast between what we WERE and what we ARE is the love and mercy of God. God is the one who brings the dead to life. He did it at creation. He did it in Christ. He does it in our hearts.
There was no condition in our lives that was a catalyst to bring spiritual life to our hearts. God didn’t look at us and evaluate our life and if it was good enough to bring us life. He simply looked into his own heart and his love led him to make us alive. There is no question that a dead person can’t do ANYTHING to bring life. Only God can bring life…and that’s what he did. God MADE US alive! Why? Because he has great love and is rich in mercy. Period.
It is by grace you have been saved. Nothing more…nothing less.
This is the greatest contrast to what we were. No effort, no choice, no ability on our own can bring our spiritual deadness to life. Only the power of God at work can do that.
The result?
He raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. We often think of heaven as a future reality, which it is, but the reality is ours today. We have the status of one who is already residing in heaven. God’s love is not something that progresses into a reality of heaven, it is an immediate change in status: The dead has been made alive!
This is all a tremendous testimony to the grace of God. The fact that any of us have a status of ALIVE instead of dead is only a gift of grace. Each of us is, as Paul wrote, a show of God’s “incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
Thank God for this “but” it is the contrast between his wrath and his grace!
Apply: As you reflect on the amazing status change from dead to alive, what greater realization is yours today?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your rich mercy and great love. Without it I would be doomed to death and never experience life with you. AMEN.