Without Hope and Without God

Ephesians 2:12

“…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”

Although there are many very unpleasant and disgusting memories, sometimes I intentionally think about my life before Christ while I was still separate from Him.

I remember the absolute hopelessness, and the abject despair of my circumstances, and the fact I was completely convinced nothing would ever get better. In fact, I was in constant fear everything would get worse, and it did.

I cringe when I think about my formerly filthy and blasphemous language. I start to feel shame again for my sexually immoral lifestyle. My heart starts to grieve again for the despicable ways I treated people, especially my family and friends.

Surely I was a picture of what it meant to be “without hope and without God.” Can you see yourself here too? Oh, brothers and sisters in Christ, how glorious it is to be totally forgiven, forever accepted, and unconditionally loved. How very wonderful it is to be filled with joy, peace, and especially hope!

Paul wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Are you still without hope and without God? Come to Christ.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Ask the God of Hope to fill you with joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Tell Him you want to be His child forever. Trust in Him.

Dive Deeper: Study Ephesians 2; Romans 5:6-10.