Encouragement

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"God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ, even when we were dead in our transgressions."
Ephesians 2:5

Dear Lord-Have Your way in this message, amen

I have been reading Ephesians and there is a lot of information and wisdom. I like this verse, because to me, at least it seems to be saying that God has revived us, made us new, and is drawing us back to Him.

I think of the prodigal son who ran away, ashamed by his actions, and embarrased because of the filth that had filled his soul. He was so amazed when his father not only allowed him back into the family, but gave him his rightful place as the son. He thought that as his father's son, after what he had done, he would have to be "demoted" and be a servant, not a son, not royalty.

God did not "demote" us as His children, after the sins of Adam and Eve. He didn't see us as any less than He did before the sin occured. After all, scripture says "his anger lasts only a moment". While God excercises judgement, He also excercises forgiveness, on a much higher level.

We are not servants, but sons and daughters! We are part of the royalty and majesty that is God, and His son, Jesus. We are in them, and we are becoming like them, and regardless of our sinful state on earth, if we trust in Him, we have a mansion in Heaven, and a "robe of righteousness" waiting for us. Actually, the robe is ours now, for we are righteous through Christ, but the mansion is on hold :)

Life can be rough, but we always have this truth to rejoice in-once we were dead, now we are alive! Our body may be perishing, but our soul is being restored, and we are being drawn nearer to our Loving Father daily. In Christ we are able to rise above the sin that once held us captive! It may be in our face everyday, on the radio, on TV, out of the mouths of the guy sitting next to us, but we can RISE above it, because we are ALIVE in Christ and the plans of the devil to turn us away are null and void......our God, rich in mercy made it this way, because of His love, and character, and His affinity for His children, though fallen, still precious, still sons.

It's really easy to feel like a slave to this world. We work 40 hours a week, and have to answer to people all of the time, about various things, and it can get very stressful and trying and tiring. But we have another purpose, another Master, one who does not just call us servant, but child, and one day these things will pass away and we will be with Him in Glory and the life we once knew will be over, we will be freed!!!!

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