Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:1-2

We all obey something.

Without Jesus, we live in sin like the rest of the world, obeying the devil.

Ephesians 2 says the devil rules the world and all who do not follow Jesus.

But do you recognize the sin still living within your actions? Your words? Your thoughts?

When we follow our flesh instead of Jesus, we are just like the world. Obeying the devil.

However – as those who have given God our entire selves, we have the gift of the rest of Ephesians chapter 2.

God had mercy on us. Underserved, rich mercy poured out on our sinful selves.

Jesus died in place of us. He died for the sins you committed long ago and the ones you’ll do tomorrow.

This pure gift from God doesn’t become even more available when you’re good.

This grace from God doesn’t become even easier to obtain when making the right choices.

God’s grace is simply given because God loves us. It’s never from our own merit.

He renews us because we are His children. Because He loves us.

He abundantly pours out His grace on us when we repent for our sins. Every single time.

While covered by God, our human selves can still fall into temptation away from God’s perfect design for us.

When that temptation arises, reframe it: do you want to obey God or the devil?

Because it’s either one.

Notice I said temptation, because that involves a choice between what’s right and what’s wrong.

Ask God to cover you afresh with Himself. With what He wants you to do. What He wants you to say. Where He wants you to go.

And keep choosing to live with your heart close to His.

Otherwise, you’ll probably obey the devil at some point and that, my friends, is definately not good.

Photos by Julia Weihe, Hugues de BUYER-MIMEURE, magnezis magnestic, & Tracy Higashi on Unsplash