Bible Studies
A Way of Life
Squeezed into an Õ89 Chevy pickup, we rumbled slowly through the corn and soybean fields of southern Indiana just outside of Rushville. As we moved along, the rows of corn on each side squeezed in on us as the giant foxtail did its best to squeeze out the corn. There were three months left until harvest time, but the tassels were forming.
Our hosts had planted hundreds of acres of corn, mostly for the corn chip market, but some for silage for their cattle and hogs. However, they planted about 1/16th of an acre with the yellow sweet corn they favored. We had the pleasure of dining at their table one evening, and we had steak and fattened ourselves on corn until it came out our ears. It was incredibly good, and the name, Pioneer Incredible, reminded me of the pioneering spirit of the farmer.
We were in the heartland of America, where the time-honored tradition of a family farm still exists. Both of our friendsÕ sons were completely involved in the business, and the whole family worked very hard every day of the year. Yet, they trusted God for the water so necessary for the crops to grow until harvest. And each Sunday morning, they made time to meet with other believers for worship. It was their way of life, where the seeds of faith and hard work were planted in their hearts, while soybean, corn, and wheat went into the ground.
In the first verse of chapter two of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul says we Òwere dead in our transgressions and sins.Ó In verse two, he says that was our former way of life before we became Christians. We used to follow the ways of the world, but now we follow Christ.
We were enemies of God, but now we are sons and daughters. We were under condemnation for our sin, but now we have been forgiven, washed in the blood of Christ. We had lusted for the things of this world, but now we fatten ourselves on the truths found in the word of God. We had not loved God, but now we love Him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We had been hell-bound sinners, under GodÕs wrath, but now we are bound for heaven because of ChristÕs death, burial and resurrection. Though our sins had kept us from having a relationship with God, we did not know it until God reached down and touched our hearts with the gift of faith that allowed us to respond to the Gospel message.
Before we came to Christ, we worked hard to make our way in this world. We strived to fill our wallets and our homes. Now, we realize that the abundant life is really knowing God through His Son. And instead of making our own way as children of the devil, we are following in the way. Thank God He planted the seeds of faith in our hearts. May we look forward to a day when the work God has given us is finished, a day where we have ripened on the true vine Ð the day when God will reach down, harvest us, and take us home.
Mountain Time Moment
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.
Ephesians 2:2 NIV
Entire article with links and verses at:
http://home.comcast.net/~philemon25/Ephesians202.pdf
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