Monday - Before and After

Written by Joshua Lester (Pickerington Campus) https://youtu.be/lCY9Rhg1KfA Ephesians 2:11-12 Key Verse: "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world."This morning, I opened my iPhone to check my calendar. As I did, the photo widget unexpectedly showed a picture of my wife and me on our wedding day four years ago. The memories of that day flooded my mind - the day when we were united together as one. But alongside those memories came another flood - memories of life before us. Reflecting on life before a significant event reminds us of what life was once like, and Paul invites us to reflect in the same way.Paul is reminding the believers in Ephesus of their before story. If you have made a personal decision to follow Jesus, you have a before story too. Previously, you were separated from Christ. As Paul would say, you were “without hope and without God in the world.” These words describe the woeful condition of a lost man or woman. To be “without hope and without God” means to be without light, peace, rest, safety, and hope. But don’t miss what happens after. Because of Jesus and His work on the cross, you are no longer separated from God but united with God. No longer a stranger, but brought near. Therefore, memories of our life before Christ should stir up a heart of gratitude for what He has done for us and where He has brought us.

Reflection Questions:

Prayer Prompt:

“God, thank you for what you have done in my life. Thank you for bringing me into your family. Thank you that I am not without hope and not without You in this world. I pray my heart would be stirred towards gratitude.”