Let us not forget.

Pastor preached on Ephesians 2:11-22 today. I like how this passage has a timeline or a journey of what we once were to what we are now.

v11-12 show us who we were. Let us not forget that we were once outcasts without hope, without a savior, without a Messiah. We once stood outside the temple courts and could only behold the glory of God from afar. We were once friendless and separated from the chosen. We were...nothing.

v13-18 show us what happened. That this Christ, this Jesus, who was all part of God's plan, had united the two bodies unto one and abolished the ceremonial law forever. That there was hope for us now who were once doomed to eternal darkness not only to be saved, but to actually have the spirit of adoption that causes us to cry out Abba father. His grace.

v19-22 show us who we have become. We are no longer outcasts. We are no longer strangers. Rather, we have become partakers in Christ. For something we did not do anything to deserve, we were given a full amount, poured out until it overflows.

O Lord help us remember who we were - Gentiles, sinful and hopeless. As the song goes, "heal the wound but leave the scar".

I AM GUILTY of excusing myself for not having a close relationship with God, when God had already done what was necessary and that I should run with arms open wide towards His grace.

I AM GUILTY of excusing myself for continuing in sin, forgetting that I have been vindicated from this very thing that kept me away from God.

I AM GUILTY as the Israelites were during the time of the Judges : being forgetful about His strength and realities, and turning my back towards Him unless during times of great distress. Over and over again.

Oh Lord let me not forget. If it means a life full of suffering so that I will never betray You, then so be it. For 'blessed are the poor, the hungry and the meek'.

Looking forward to the future assured transfiguration of our earthen vessels.

- Dylan