A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (April 5,2018)
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
I just finished doing a long list of chores (going to the post office, gas station, cleaners, etc.) and I just now sat down in my office and started talking to God. Since we publish a devotional five days per week, the first thing that I ask God every day is what we are going to write about today. I have learned a long time ago if He doesn’t give me something to write about, or teach about, my efforts are in vain. My calling is to tell you what He is saying, not what I am saying. It gets back to the pattern that Jesus set for us when He said He did not say anything or do anything He did not hear or see the Father say or do.
So, I picked up my Bible and these are the first verses I read today:
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10, NKJV)
What a powerful word! The simple Gospel is this. We were all once sinners. We were all once lost. We were all once children of wrath serving Satan and our only chance to get free from that was Jesus. We could never be good enough or do enough good works to earn a get-out-of-jail-free card. We were doomed except for Jesus. All of us believers need to never forget where we came from! That is why a person’s testimony is so powerful. It reminds us of where we came from and how we were set free. Too often religion creeps in and we start thinking we are where we are due to something we did or that now we are better than other folks. No, No, No!!! The only thing we did was believe. No amount of works, and no membership in any church, qualified us for this great mercy and grace.
Why is it so important to never forget where we came from? As you look at lost people today, what do you see and feel? Are you angry at their actions and words? Remember, they are lost!!! Did Jesus get angry with you when you were lost? No, He just kept loving you and pursuing you. It is so easy to get puffed up after you get saved and after you see the truth. Not good!!! Remember where you came from and who set you free. Stay humble before God and He will use you to reach a lost generation. Remember, it is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance. God has given us great grace and power but that grace and power are for edification and not destruction. Just always remember where you came from and you will be a vessel that can be used in the Kingdom of God.
