1You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. 3We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands), 12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, 15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, 20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
The Log Book
A Uniformed Man Holding a Logbook
The principle of “sowing and reaping” is ubiquitous in scripture. That means it’s everywhere. Adam and Eve sowed rebellion, and it resulted in the loss of immortality. Cain sowed envy and murder, and God ostracized him. Abraham sowed obedience (for the most part), and he moved from Ur to a place he had never been, not knowing how he would get there, only knowing that God would be there when he reached that place. God rewarded his faith. Joseph showed patience and forgiveness toward those who had wronged him, and God promoted him to Prime Minister of Egypt. Yes, the principle of sowing and reaping is all over the pages of the Bible. Reader, what are you sowing? Paul tells us here to be proactive in sowing things of the Spirit. You may wonder, “How can I do that?” It is only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He will lead you to do those things (sowing to the Spirit) that God purposed for you to do before the foundations of the world. (Ephesians 2:10)
Each day, you must make a choice. Will you sow to the Spirit or the flesh? It’s really that simple a choice. And then a caution is thrown into the whole mix. When you engage in doing the things of the Spirit, you’ll often be unnoticed. That’s okay. You won’t get the credit. That’s alright. In fact, it’s the way you should really want to do these things if you do them correctly. Paul knows that if we serve others and step out of self, there is a weariness that comes with that. He cautions us, “Do not be weary in doing good for you will reap your reward in due season.” God notices each and every kindness that we show. He sees each and every act of service we do for others. They may not thank you, but God will put it in the “log book.” So, notwithstanding the likelihood of never being thanked or noticed, do it! As much as you are able to do so, do good to all men. But especially be conscious and purposeful in doing good for your fellow believers and church members. Don’t worry about the kudos. Don’t worry about the applause. Don’t look to be noticed or thanked. If we aren’t concerned about who gets the credit, it will be amazing what God can do in and through us!