Our human nature is to judge. We judge others' actions for better and, more often, for worse. We judge people's sins and mistakes, wondering how they could do what they did. What we forget in our moments of judgment is that we, too, have sinned and messed up. We have broken God's heart and needed His grace. When we remember our own lostness, we begin to have greater love and compassion for the lost around us.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2 of our lostness before Christ. He wrote in this passage of Scripture, “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else” (verses 2-3). Make no mistake. We were lost before Christ changed our lives. We were “subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” We were hopeless without Christ. This was our reality, just the same as the lost people all around us. Then, miraculously, Jesus stepped in and brought us hope and healing.
In the book of Romans, we are taught how to live based on the truth that we were once lost in our sin and in need of the hope of Christ. In Romans 7, Paul wrote, “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (verse 7). Instead of passing judgment on others, we are to accept them “just like Christ has accepted [us].” How has Christ accepted us? He has accepted us with unconditional love and forgiveness. He brought us freedom. This same hope and freedom that the lost and hurting world around us needs. May we never forget what Christ has done for us, and may we seek to share His hope with everyone around us so that they, too, can experience hope and freedom in Him.
You were challenged in the weekend message to write a short note and thank the person that God used in your life to help you begin your relationship with Jesus. Take a few moments to do this now. You do not have to send the letter. This exercise is all about writing the letter to remember your own lostness and give you gratitude for the person God used in your life to point you to Him.
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
