Through the Word in 2020 - 6/17 #55 / Seeing Things in The Light

When I left the wedding I had officiated, it was dark. In my best blue suit and with a brand new yellow power tie, I was looking pretty snappy - at least for me. Before hitting the road for my 70 mile ride home I stopped at a drive-thru for a burger and cruised comfortably with that image of looking pretty sharp securely in my mind. Until I got home and looked in the mirror. Then the huge ketchup blotches running all down my tie gave me an entirely new vision. In the dark, we can imagine ourselves to look any way we want. But the light might tell us a very different story. That from Ephesians 2:11-22 on today’s edition of Through the Word in 2020. I’m Reid Ferguson.

Our 2 other readings today are Mark 16:9-11 and 2 Kings 11:21-13:13. But it’s the startling picture of what lostness looks like in the light of Scripture I’d like to explore today. It is an image of our fallenness in Adam that in the darkness of unbelief, we never get. If you are not a Christian today, I pray this sudden flash of light will lead you to call upon Christ for redemption. And for those who are already Christ’s remembering the pit out of which we were plucked is a healthy reminder of the wonder of our salvation.

The picture Paul paints actually starts at the beginning of Chapter 2. Look at these descriptive terms:

1 Dead in trespasses and sins.

2 Following the course of this world.

3 Following the prince of the power of the air - Satan.

4 Carrying out the desires of the body and the mind.

5 By nature, a child of God’s just wrath.

6 Separated from Christ.

7 Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, thus having no right to the covenants and promises of God.

8 Having no hope.

9 Without God.

10 In the World

Pretty bleak isn’t it? I am especially caught by the last 3 - Having no hope; without God; in the World. In shark infested waters with no boat and no rescuer in sight.

And if you are outside of Christ today - this is you. Take a long, hard look. Then run to Him.

But! vs. 5 - Those in Christ - even when we were dead in our trespasses, were made alive together with Him. We have been raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places. You see, without the light of Scripture, we can’t know what a wonder our salvation is either. That too would be left to our imaginations.

And so we read that those who believe, who trust Christ and His atoning work on Calvary have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Cleansed from our sin. And are no longer strangers and aliens, but are fellow citizens with the saints, and members of the household of God. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. And we are being built together into a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.

And how does this happen? Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

It is certainly not owing to anything we can do. Not based on any goodness in ourselves, or by doing good things to earn His favor. It is by grace alone. By the faith birthed in our hearts in the hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A faith, which looks only to Him for our reconciliation to the Father.

And if you are in Christ today. Catch a fresh glimpse of what you are in the light of Scripture too. And marvel at the goodness of your God.

God willing, we’ll be back tomorrow.