FROM THE ARCHIVES*: Lessons Learned in the Strangest Places

Lessons Learned in the Strangest Places

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) reads, 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 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. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

If you read Monday's Mention this week (click here if you didn't) you know that I had the opportunity to spend three days with some of the inmates at the prison in Marion County. This passage makes me think about something one of the inmates said on the last day. He said:

"People say I should be proud of who I am in Christ,
but I'm proud of who Christ is in me!"

Did you catch that? It's a slight distinction, but it's a powerful one. We often think about all the things that we do as Christian. We are proud of our accomplishments, our changed attitudes and behaviors, and our good deeds. As you re-read this passage from Ephesians you can see very powerfully where the change comes from. Where is the power? "God...made us alive with Christ." "God raised us up with Christ." "this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." We, too often, place the emphasis of our faith, and the change it's brought about, on ourselves. Look again, where is the "you" in this passage? "dead in your transgressions," "followed the ways of the world," "gratifying the cravings of our flesh." Our life-change without the power of God in Christ leaves us dead. Without hope. 

However, add the power of God in Christ and EVERYTHING changes. We're alive. We're new creations. We're changed by God to do good works. 

An unexpected lesson for sure. 

*This post was originally published January 16th, 2013.