DESPERATE
Second
of three devotions in Sifting Self
Series
Ephesians
2:1-10
Ephesians
2:1-3: “As for you, you who were dead in
your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the
ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is
now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also have lived among them at one time, gratifying the
cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of
wrath.”
Apostle
Paul writes hard truths.
People rebel. God saw us helpless and hopelessly lost. Desperate.
No way can people save ourselves!
His solution was to send His Son Jesus…and grace. Those who believe in Jesus as Savior receive
the indwelling Holy Spirit. He transforms
us into Christlikeness, convicts us of sin and supplies supernatural power when
we’re weak.
But believers don’t automatically
have easy lives. Everyone faces
trials. Trials are tailored by our
heavenly Father to shape us, teach us His ways, and to demonstrate His love and
wisdom.
Despite how much sifting hurts,
people are better after the experience. Proud
people sift out as humble. Arrogant people
become meek. God uses trials to sift His
kids into people suitable for His purposes.
Trials hurt, too. Often believers who’re plowing through them
feel like the opening Scripture describes unbelievers: Objects of wrath. Spiritually dead. Condemned to eternal separation from God
(Revelation 20:15). Deserving of
judgment (Romans 14:10).
But the truth for believers is the polar
opposite: Believers are save by
grace. No matter the trial, the Holy
Spirit maintains our peace and joy. We remember that we are the righteousness of God in Christ (2
Corinthians 5:21). That describes the kingdom of God! (Romans 14:17).
(See the lesson, linked below, for
contrasts).
But if we’re slow to get the lesson
that God’s trying to teach, trials will recur until we do!
Take
Home Nugget
After months of financial
hardship, ten year old Jeremy heard his dad talking to mom, “God taught me
something I’ll never forget.”
“What’s that, honey?”
“I was always proud to be able to provide for my family ….But
after I lost my job, I was desperate. I
never thought I’d get another job!”
“Life was hard for a time,” mom agreed.
“Yeah, but I finally get it. God provided me the job in the first
place! It was NEVER me. I learned never to be proud of being
self-sufficient again.”
Self-sufficiency was caught in the mesh of Jeremy’s dad’s
sifting. He emerged humble, and
dependent on God—after learning Who really provides for his family.
Sifting hurts, but if we’re honest, we
thank and praise God for the lesson learned.
J.D.
Griffith
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