“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.” Ephesians 2:5-7 (KJV)
I suspect we all have met people who continually live on the edge of disaster. They take chances we would never even dream of. They live without concern of where they will sleep or where their next meal will come from. They wander through life looking for adventure and excitement and for that feeling of completeness.
I am amazed at their dis-concern for their surroundings and potential plight. In their place, I would be completely out of sorts. When I asked one young man whether he was worried about what he may face with his lifestyle, he said “No, God takes care of me.” When I asked about any formal “church” upbringing, there wasn’t any. Clearly drugs and alcohol had taken a toll on his physical health. Breaking the law made the way of keeping him with the addictive substance he desired.
It’s hard to understand why he felt so content in his relationship with God. I wonder if it was just something he said to steer off curious onlookers, like myself. I wonder if his life expectations were so low that what he experienced in his life exceeded his hopes and he gave God the glory for it. I wonder if he prayed, and even in his sin laden life, God kept a hedge of protection around him, knowing that one day he would turn himself around and follow the call placed on his life (Luke 9:23).
I wonder if he met God in a deep dark place and had that wonderful intimate relationship that made him feel blessed, no matter where he was or what he was doing (Acts 17:27). Had he recognized God’s “Exceeding Riches” in his day to day, moment my moment existence, and even in his poverty and life of poor choices, feeling the great value of that relationship. Even though he has not pulled himself back to a “normal” lifestyle, did he know that God still loved and watched over and cared for him? I don’t know, he said he did.
I do know that God will meet us where we are at, in our filthiest rags and disgusting attitudes, a life filled with sin and a heart filled with darkness, and He will love us and call to us and stay by our side until we are ready to hear His voice (Isaiah 64:6). I do know that the joy of receiving Him is far greater than any other joy on this earth, and to call it “Exceeding Riches” is far less than it truly is. I do know that He has prepared a place for us, rich or poor, male or female, whatever race, whatever creed, brilliant or challenged, evil or kind, and He is waiting for us to accept that gift by accepting His Son (John 14:2-3). I do know that He has made a way, through the sacrifice of His Son, for us to sit in Heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6).
That’s grace (John 1:14). That’s love (John 3:16). That is the gift of “Exceeding Riches” so great that we may never comprehend it until the moment we stand before Him (Romans 14:10).
*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 3
Written by Linda J. Humes
11-23-2014
Linda J. Humes 