Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
Text: Ephesians 2:12
A TEACHER OF “THE GENTILES IN THE FLESH”
The apostle Paul declared that God had made him “a teacher of the Gentiles” (Cf. 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11). His close association with Gentiles and his long years of ministry among them gave him vital insights concerning their religious inclinations and beliefs.
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE STATE OF “THE GENTILES IN THE FLESH”
Paul wrote another solemn text concerning the state of the Gentiles in his epistle to the Romans. The following statements may be made:-
1. “Ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” Romans 1:18a
2. “Suppress the truth in unrighteousness” Romans 1:18b
3. “They did not glorify Him as God” Romans 1:21b
4. “Nor were thankful” Romans 1:21c
5. “Became futile in their thoughts” Romans 1:21d
6. “Foolish hearts were darkened” Romans 1:21e
7. “Professing to be wise, they became fools” Romans 1:22
8. Worshiped “Image(s) made like corruptible man-…animals” Romans 1:23
9. “They did not like to retain God in their knowledge” Romans 1:28
GOD’S QUALIFIED RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO REJECTED HIS WAYS
Paul used a vital phrase to describe God’s reaction to those who persisted in their sinful ways.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness…
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions…
“God gave them over to a debased mind…”
ROMANS 1:24, 26, 28
God’s response of “giving up” literally means that He would allow man to continue in his own sinful inclinations. He would not send a flood as He did in the days of Noah. If man chose to continue in sin, he would be allowed to do so without Divine intervention. However, he must be prepared to reap the consequences of his sinful actions. Spiritual death would be the outcome.
Mercifully, God also provided a solution. That answer was located in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus would be the Answer to man’s sinful and sorrowful plight, if the sinner would have Him.