Last night, after a delicious meal, around a campfire on a
beautiful evening, I asked the youth, “Tell of a time when you came very close
to death.” There followed many stories; childhood illnesses, accidents,
allergic reactions, near misses, and other scary moments. We were thankful for being
alive!
Ephesians 2:1-3 emphasizes how we “used to live” in
transgressions and sins according to the cravings of our flesh (sinful nature).
We named specific “transgressions and sins.” We discussed that when we continue to live in
that way, (sometimes unconsciously, sometimes willfully) it desensitizes us to
that little “Jiminy Cricket” voice of conscious in our brain, and we continue
living without hope under the influence of evil present in this world, v 2.
But, God…
Then we read the amazing hope in verses 4-5!
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Grace! Described by one young person as “Undeserved
forgiveness.” Absolutely correct! The word grace shouts out from verses 4-10! In God’s love and mercy, which
contrasts the wrath that we deserved, he decided to rescue his wayward
children!
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
The Holy Spirit recreates our
inner being—we “used to be dead” but God “made us alive with Christ.”
Resurrection! Recreation!
Restoration!
I then challenged everyone to
think about who they have in their lives who holds them accountable for staying
on track; choosing to continue living as followers of Jesus and not slipping
back into behaviors that are based on the sinful nature, not the God-nature grace-fully
given to us. Who speaks truth into your life? And to whom can you speak
truth, helping another person follow Jesus faithfully?
We need each other. We need to
speak grace-filled words of accountability and hope to each other. Life is too
hard to go it alone. We need to pray for each other, and pray for our church
and our pastors.
And we did just that, around a
campfire on a beautiful evening.
God loves you! I love you!
Grace and peace.
