“And you has He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein, in times past, you walked according to the course of this world, according to the course of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind—and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Ephesians 2:1-3
We should never forget who we were, what we were and how we lived before the Savior came; otherwise, we’re apt to presume on His Grace.
Everyone who claims the Name of Christ should have a B.C. (“Before Christ”) and A.D. (Latin “anno Domini”—“in the year of our Lord”) in their lives. Although modern-day revisionists of history have now changed those to B.C.E (“Before the Common Era”) and C.E. (“Common Era”) in chronicling our past to avoid using Christ’s Name, we should never do so in our testimony of faith.
Truly, everyone who’s been born again has a “in times past” (vv.2, 11) and a “but now” (v.13) in his/her life. And, there should be great cause for alarm if there’s not! Anyone who’s been “quickened (made alive) from his trespasses and sins” through Christ’s redemption should no longer be “walking according to the course of this world. . .acting like one of the devil’s children. . .and living like a rebellious child of disobedience.”
Yet, there are many who still do so—darkening the church door every Sunday!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, if there’s not a difference in our lives and those of the world something’s wrong! If there’s not a clear line of demarcation in our attitude and actions from those around us, something’s wrong! And, we should not rest until there is!!
Those who still live “in times past” are those “without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (v.12). What does this mean in terms we can understand?
Simply this:
If a person claims to be a Christian, yet never fellowships with other believers. . .never reads his Bible. . .never prays. . .never shares his faith, etc., he should be worried—for it’s very likely his is a “profession” of faith, not a “possession.” Only those living in the A.D. (“But now in Christ”) can testify of having been “brought nigh to God by Christ’s blood and are living in His peace of reconciliation with God and others” (vv.13-14).
This isn’t about “trying to live a good life,” Pilgrim, for everyone’s trying to do that—but according to their own standard. They compare their lives to someone else’s and pride themselves that they’re better (more spiritual, if you will), forgetting such contemptuous comparison reveals their spiritual blindness (Lk. 18:10-14). May the Holy Spirit reveal to us today where we’re living (in B.C. or A.D.) and then help us to live as redeemed, transformed children of God’s Household of Faith (vv.19-22).
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated November 9, 2009
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