“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

 

The Word of God is certainly powerful and sharp. It cuts to the heart. It’s convicting; yet at the same time provides the comforting truths we need to hear and must believe. The Word of God never loses its power. You can read a verse over and over again and that 101st time you read it (yet again!) a part of it becomes a new revelation that you’ve never known before. It sticks in your heart and mind and makes a lasting impression on your soul.

When I read this verse, it resounds with chords of peace and resonates with chimes of love. Only Jesus Christ in His great mercy can love us and accept us and desire us when we were/are “far off”.

In and of ourselves, there lies no good thing. Our inward man is full of sin and rebellion. Rejecting that which is holy and good is part of our sinful nature. We would be at a great loss if it were not for the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

The blood that not only was poured out on Calvary’s mountain but the blood that was shed as those guards beat his back till it became shreds and pressed the crown of thorns into his skull causing blood to stream down his cheeks – the cheeks where blood gushed from where his beard was ripped away. He was marred in such a way that He was barely recognizable as a man.

Knowing this and thinking about this, breaks my heart. But not enough. These thoughts cause me to wince. But not enough. I will never be able to fully comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of my Savior.

I was privileged to be born and raised in a godly Christian home. A home where my parents had an ardent desire to love and serve Jesus Christ and to faithfully teach the Biblical truths of God’s Word to their children. I repented and believed on Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 11. Even as a child, I desired to grow in the Lord and did so by reading His Word, praying, and being obedient to Him and my parents.

Time passed and soon I was an adult – able to make adult decisions. As I look back on my life, I admit that there were times that cause me to be ashamed of what I have done or said. There have been times that I ‘slacked’ off in my fervent desire to seek after God and allowed a coolness to glaze over my once burning heart. There have been words said that I will never be able to take back. There have been attitudes expressed that have brought shame. Actions that have hurt the ones I’ve loved the most. I admit with remorse, I’ve had times where I’ve felt “far off”.

This wasn’t a result of others. It wasn’t because of God. It was because of me. Me and my sinful nature. Me and my sinful lusts. Me, myself, and I.

If my testimony stopped here, there would be no hope. No happy ending. But it doesn’t.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.” He quickens my heart when I’m spiritually lethargic. He makes me alive when I feel dead inside. He picks me up when I can go no further. He cheers me when I’m sad. And guess what?! He draws me ever so near to His side when I’m “far off”.

Can there be anything more comforting and reassuring? This thought alone should bring a song to our soul! God is good and because of the blood of Christ and our trust and belief in Him, He makes us good. We have no righteousness within us, but we are seen perfect and complete through God’s Son, Jesus Christ!

Perhaps you are in a slump of lethargy in your walk with Christ. Or maybe you have never even experienced a full sanctifying work of God in your life, then I urge you to cry out to Him. Ask Him to draw you to Himself and bring you close to His beating heart. It’s only through the pure, rich, cleansing blood of Jesus! And remember, He is always faithful to His Word!

~Sara