Ephesians 4:18
“being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart”.
This verse was prefaced by Paul saying, "Don't walk as gentiles do, in futility of their minds". Today I want to focus on the phrase, "excluded from the life of God....
They are excluded from the life of God because they are not in Christ. Paul is telling the Ephesians who are in Christ, not to walk this way. What prompts this is not being subservient to Christ. They want to do what they want. We are turning our faces from God, which will darken our understanding. We are turning from the light. This excludes all of us from the life of God.
What happens when are excluded from the life of God? We cut ourselves of from His blessings. Our cup does not overflow as we have cut off the water source. We are thirsty. We are going away from God, so all sorts of wants and needs will manifest. It's the opposite of Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." He isn't our shepherd, I will be overrun with wants and unsatisfied cravings.
Let's talk of the life of God. There are two types. There is the general life of God that He gives to all. "The sun falls on the just and unjust and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous", (Matthew 5:45b). He puts joy in our hearts (Acts 14:17). That is a general blessing He gives to all the living.
The second type of life of God comes to those in Christ. We have bowed our knees and accepted His forgiveness. We are His adopted children. This is where Psalm 23 comes in: We don't want, He leads us besides the still waters, He restores our souls, guides our paths, He prepares a table to fill us and to give us honor, and goodness and mercy will follow us all of our days. What's even greater is that we know and fellowship with God.
It's a tragedy when one in God, excludes himself from the life of God. God loves that one and will seek to draw him back. He did this to Paul when He was drawing him. Acts 26:14 says, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' A goad is a stick that pokes an ox if it kicks at the driver. He is attempting to oppose the reigns of the driver, but gets pricked in the process. God will put resistance in our lives if we are opposing Him. It's all to turn us back to Him.
How do we turn back to God? No matter how far and how long we've opposed God, He's right there when we turn around. He's omnipresent. He offers full forgiveness. We may need to untangle ourselves from some habits and reconcile some relationships. Fortunately God knows exactly what we need and will get to work, if we comply.
God's love is so great. He doesn't hold grudges or seek to teach us a lesson. We may need one, but not for the purpose of vengeance.
God will protect us and help us not to turn our backs to Him. Our choice can break through that, if we persist. He is a shepherd and will help a wayward sheep.
Thank You, God, that You are so loving and welcome us back. Though we've gone far and done damage, You are there to help us. Help us to resist that which would turn us from You.