As For You

Whew! I'm telling you, writing something from the Word seriously takes time! I never want to come to these posts and just slam something down. So, if you got here earlier and I wasn't here yet, just know I was making sure that I took time to take time. Make sense?

Okay, we're in the book of Ephesians if you are new here and we're about to go to chapter two.

Buuuut, we're not going to get very far (you're not surprised, but you'll like it)

Chapter 2, verse (would you believe) ONE, and part of two

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live...

What strikes me about this verse is the first three words, "As for you..."

There is something tender about that. We could take it like Paul spun around and pointed his finger with one hand on his hip like we were in trouble for forgetting something, but I don't think it's the case. I think it's the predecessor to all the encouragement he's about to dump on his readers.

As for you...

You who were once lost and are now found.

As for you...

Blessed of God and chosen by Him

As for you...

Forgiven one of Christ and redeemed from all sins

As for you...

You who are lavished upon

As for you...

Holy and pleasing to God

As for you...

Sealed in the Spirit

As for you...

You were dead in your transgressions and sin, in which you used to live.

Paul goes on to describe in more detail what that looked like when we followed the ways of the world in the rest of 2 and verse 3. You can read that and get a good idea of where Paul is taking his readers.

Verse 4 is where he adds the beautiful word "But"

But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace that you have been saved.

"But," it's such a great word in the Bible. There's another one I'm fond in Romans 3:21. Again, Paul is going on about how everyone is sinful and unrighteous and there is nothing we can do to fix that on our own. Then he throws in a "but!" A BIG but

But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known...

There is no other way to go from being a worldly, sinful person, to an "As for you..." person. It all comes from God! We know that, but sometimes I still live like I have to be the one to make it right. We can't forget that we who are sealed in the Spirit are set apart in the group labeled "as for you." He directs His attention, affection, and purpose to those of us who have joined the "as for you" ranks. Those are ranks we want to be in. That's the Army we want to march with, Stilettos and all.

There, we find strength, purpose, joy, stamina, safety, power, blessings. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have joined the "as for you's."

We'll talk more about what that group has coming to them and what's expected from them tomorrow!

As for you, go read Ephesians!