Remember When You Had Nothing?

By: Scott Armstrong

Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22

Key Verse: “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ . . . without hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12).

It was testimony time in the church service, and Billy stood up.  He was 55 years old and had unkempt hair and dingy clothes.  “I remember when I was 17 and I had nothing.  I was hopeless and penniless and friendless, too…”

Several people in the pews groaned.  It was a good story and all, but it was the same one Billy gave every testimony service.  Some of the teens could recite it word for word by now.  Even Pastor Ron thought, “Oh, Billy, that’s fine, but what has God done for you lately? That was decades ago!”

Four long minutes later, Billy got a huge smile on his face.  “But Jesus was there when I least expected him.  He took me out of the streets and gave me a purpose!  He picked up this old boy and gave him a family when I never had one.  I can’t imagine my life without God!  He’s everything to me!”

The apostle Paul couldn’t imagine it either.  He reminded the Ephesians that they were once separate from Christ, excluded, hopeless and God-less in the world.  To think of it would make them – and us – despair!

But now…

In Christ Jesus…

You’ve been brought near. (v. 13)

Maybe like Billy, that transformation is worth remembering over and over again!