Ephesians 4:17-19  This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,  having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;  who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

 

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is powerful and pertinent to every Christian living today. Once saved and born again, our lives are to change.  We are to “put off the old self” and “take on the new.” This happens as the Holy Spirit renews our minds and opens our blinded eyes to the spiritual world and the greatness of God, which is all ours due to our faith in what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary.

 

The world and all the lost people of the world are spiritually blind and ignorant of the Benefits of God. They are in this condition because they have alienated themselves from God and given themselves over to lewd and evil conduct motivated by selfishness and greed. This is an accurate portrayal of the “old self,” life in the world, lost, without the Benefits of God.

 

It is at The Cross, we received our Salvation and our eyes were opened to the Truth of the Full Gospel of Christ and all it’s Benefits. Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

David wrote this Psalm to remind us not to forget the Benefits of the Lord. He goes on to say, The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

 

We serve an awesome God whose Benefits are countless; His Abilities, endless. His Mercy and Grace are never-ending toward His children. As children of God, we have so much to be grateful for. There is no reason for any born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to live a single day in depression, oppression, or guilt. We have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb of God. Our sins are forgiven and cast into the sea of forgetfulness. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

 

As we study this Passage, we find the key to God’s Benefits. The key is to fear Him.  So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. This fear is a healthy respect that comes from understanding the Power of God; Who He is; What He has done; and What He is able to do. In short: Fear and respect God—— Receive all His Benefits.

 

Only God can……..turn the tide

 

Blessed by His Benefits,      Doreen

 

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