Challenge: Formerly

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  Eph 2:1-3 NASB

The word “formerly” jumped out at me this morning.  I was formerly caught up in these things, but now I’m made alive by the grace of God.  By the same power that raised Christ from the dead!  I’m free from the life I was once caught up in. 

But, do I live like that?  Do I really live as if walking “according to the course of this world” is a former thing? 

In so many ways, I have allowed this world to maintain its hold on me.  I still make decisions based on the course of this world.  I still allow my hopes to be bound up in the things I can see. 

I am challenged to live more in this “formerly” mentality.  That does not mean that my struggles with sin will vanish and that I will always follow a course based on heavenly goals.  But, it does mean a growth in freedom from those earthly bounds and a mind increasingly set on Christ. 

I was “formerly” a sinner, bound to the course of this evil world.  Now I’m pure and righteous in the eyes of God because of the shed blood of Christ.  May I live like it!