My first three years of
college were a blur of selfish choices that inflicted trauma on myself and other people, but I couldn't stop chasing after
sin. I had lost control over my desires, and was craving wickedness
in increasing amounts. I didn't realize it at the time, but the sin
that began as a “fun escape” had started to infiltrate every area
in my life. I was addicted.
The more I followed my
desires, the more I became blinded by those desires. I was trapped and unable to save myself, but thankfully, God intervened before it was too late.
One day while I was in the
middle of an immoral behavior, I began to feel convicted and ashamed
of my actions. In the past, I had tried to ignore shame and guilt whenever I experienced them, but that time was different. That time I wasn't able to ignore the feelings. God
had captured my attention, and wanted to give me
another opportunity to turn my life around. It was an opportunity I didn't
deserve at all.
"Opportunity" is a strange word to use for conviction, but I think it's an accurate one. My addiction and shame created a bondage, but God offered to release me. Interestingly, it didn't feel like an "opportunity" back then, instead, it felt like a quick slap to the face that left my body vibrating. It felt like shock therapy, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Read Paul's introduction in
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT):
Once
you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You
used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the
devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the
spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of
us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and
inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject
to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But
God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we
were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ
from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been
saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated
us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ
Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the
incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in
all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take
credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward
for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ
Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Answer the following questions:
- What does Paul reveal about the life of a non-believer?
- What does this passage reveal about salvation?
- How did God save us, and why?
- How has God been changing your life as you spend more time with Him?
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