[5th March, 2018]
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:11-12).
Our opening scripture describes the state of the unregenerate man. It’s the most terrible thing for a man to live without God! How deplorable! Who wants to keep living like that?
Ephesians 4:17-18 says, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Those referred to here are the heathen; those who don’t know God. They may be religious but their spirit is in darkness; their understanding is darkened, because the light of God isn’t in their spirit. What hopelessness to be alienated from the life of God!
This is why we must be passionate about preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, letting men know what Jesus came to do. He came to give us life (John 10:10). In John 3:3, He said, “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” If you’ve not been born again, make the decision today to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Don’t live one more day without God.
The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” That’s how simple and quick it is to be born again. Once you make that proclamation of the Lordship of Jesus, instantly, eternal life is imparted to your spirit. You’re at once brought into oneness with God; you’re straightaway transferred from this present world of darkness and turmoil, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for your life in me. I’m so grateful for your grace and wisdom at work in me. Now, more than ever, I’m passionate about preaching the Gospel and bringing men and women out of darkness into your marvelous light, into a living relationship with the resurrected Christ, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 16:24-26 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
John 15:5-6 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
Mark 16:15-16 “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.”
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 11:1-26 Numbers 16-17
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Acts 24:10-21 Psalm 57-58