In Ephesians, chapter 2, we learn about the transformation process that happens with every person who believes in Jesus unto salvation. So let’s get right into these verses and allow God to transform us if He hasn’t already. It reads, “and you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;). (Ephesians 2:1-5) And so we learn that while in our sins, God heard our cries and then quickened us unto Him. We are forgiven because of His mercy and love towards us. This way we can become more than conquers when it comes to temptation and sin. We don’t have to be led by the lusts of our flesh any longer, for we have God in our lives leading us. Therefore, we are made strong in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Our flesh is weak if we are living this life alone, but it is made much stronger to resist temptation with Jesus in our lives.
Paul also said, “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. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:6-10) Each person that Christ raises up into newness of life is no longer condemned because of sin. And if Jesus has saved us from a life of addiction, bad habits, and willful sin, then we have a place prepared for us in the heavens above. And all this is possible because of God’s exceeding grace towards us all. Not one person is too far gone for God to awaken and brought into His fold. It is just up to that person to allow Jesus into their lives, that they might experience His abundant mercy and forgiveness. And those people who take the step of faith to believe in Jesus, this is when the Lord rescues them from the path of destruction. This way we are brought onto the path of righteousness and His works are able to abound in our lives. We were created unto good works that only God could do in our lives. These same works are the fruits of our faith in Jesus and our salvation.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will allow You to transform their lives. It only takes a person to humble themselves a little before You can do a mighty work in their lives. Too many people are satisfied with their own lives that this transformation is delayed. Often times it is even too late for people because they died while procrastinating their day of repentance. You wished to come in and dine with them, as You dine with me so often, but people are too busy in life to make time for You. Excuses start to arise when asked about their spiritual life outside of church. But in reality, if people were born again in the Spirit, this time for You would come naturally daily. Other things would also start to become less important as we give You our rightful time and space. You called us to abide in You, and this time with You we would begin to cherish each time it happens. Lord, the time I gave my heart to You is when I have become happier than ever before. I thought I could find happiness in pornography and the lusts of my flesh, but I was so wrong. It only led to guilt and shame, and a feeling of never being forgiven. Now I know that these feelings were of Satan, for he never wanted me to come to You in my confessions. He hoped that I would stay in my sins and begin to justify my sinful actions. Thankfully, I did pray. That day You came and rescued a lost soul. I had no way out of the darkness, but Your light came in and scattered it. I am set free because You continued to do a work in my life based on my daily prayers and time in Your Word. Thank You, Jesus. You are my Savior and my God. Your mercy endures forever. I love You. Amen.
