Even As Others – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Read the “1210 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Good morning. Do you remember that at one time you were dead in trespasses and sins? We were just like the rest of the world: born with a body, a soul, and a dead spirit. We were no better than the world. And if not for God’s grace, we would face the same end…

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:5-10)

But what is our attitude toward our fellow man? Do we treat them like the Christ would? Even though they beat Him, spit on Him, whipped Him till His skin was in shreds, and then nailed Him to a cross, Jesus still shed His precious blood for their sins. Sometimes I think that we should take another look at a parable that Jesus taught…

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Isaiah wrote that…

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

We are no better that anyone else. And we should treat others as we would like to be treated, or even better. Our Lord Jesus Christ combined the Ten Commandments into two: to love God with everything in you, and love your neighbor as yourself.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

Even as others.

Peace!


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Phil Erickson
Admin
1 year ago

Great post Pastor Stahl!

Bob Fenton
Bob Fenton
1 year ago

Amen Pastor Ted.I think as Christians we have to remind ourselves the true meaning of love.Like the post.

Deb L.
Deb L.
1 year ago

Great message Bro Ted. It saddens my heart when Christians don’t show grace & mercy & forgiveness to those that need it. Even in our own families. Help me Lord to lead the way to be a better example of Christ’s teaching in this.

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