Brought Afresh to See the Wounds

Michael E. Wood

January 7, 2014

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 

Ephesians 2:1-3

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13

It is good to be reminded from time to time of the condition we were in by nature; separated from Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world. This truth, by the Spirit, gives us a far greater appreciation for the abundance of grace that has been lavished upon us in Christ Jesus.

There are occasions that I am brought to tears by the remembrance of consequences of past sins, but I am so thankful that we have a God and Father who has not left us to ourselves and has given us great and precious promises that He will indeed work all things together for our good and His infinite glory. In Christ, we have become a new creation. We have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore we can find encouragement to forget those things which are behind and reach forth to those things which are before us; pressing toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

About the time I have in mind

I've made some progress here

I’m brought to see afresh the wounds

I caused through veil of tears.

And though my great offenses

Were indeed against some men,

It’s You, Oh God, my Father

Who alone I did offend.

Psalm 51:3-4

I thank You for forgiveness which

You wrought through Your own Son

And ask that You enable me

To magnify the One

To whom I owe allegiance

For the mercy You have shown

As through Him I am pardoned

And released to be Your own.

So help me to obey You

By forgetting what is past

And focus on eternal things

You give which ever last.

And now with time redeemed

Oh help me use it for Your glory

To show and tell the greatness

Of my Savior’s wondrous story.

Ephesians 5:8-10, 15