The following is reprinted with permission
of The Timely Messenger
Turning Points
By Charles Wages
We are acutely aware of great events that "change history".
These events could include wars, inventions, catastrophes, depressions,
and even the decline of an empire.
These are significant, but not to compare with "spiritual"
changes.For example, the entrance of sin through our first parents changed
the entire human race for all timel Romans 5:12-14.
Unless we note the great "turning points" that are found
in the "official" account of human history (God's Word), we
will never understand God's master plan for the ages. With our little
minds we can only grasp a few of these great truths. Let's consider
some "turning points" in one portion of God's Word.
In Ephesians 2 there are several events that are of great importance
in understanding how God has dealt with mankind across the ages of time.Let's
start with one that is individual and personal. This first personal
"turning point" is introduced by the expression,
But God
We are told in Eph. 2:1-3 that,
• 1. We were dead in trespasses and sins.
• 2. We walked according to the course of this world.
• 3. We were controlled by "the prince of the power of
the air (Devil).
• 4. We had our conversation (manner of life) in the lusts of
the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh.
• 5. We were by nature the children of wrath.
What a disgusting, degrading, and disastrous condition! Not a very pretty
picture to look at or talk about.
But God! There is the "turning point." We are told that God,
who is rich in mercy loved us with a "great love" (Eph. 2:4).
Not only did He love us, but we are told that "God commended his
love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us". Romans 5:8. After trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour,
(Eph. 2:9) God not only saves us from "the penalty of sin",
which is death, but does great things that only God has the power to
do. These great things include,
• Hath quickened us together.
• Hath raised us up together.
• Made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ.
• That in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches
of his grace.
This manifests quite a change, quite a turning point. It involves the
past, the present, and the future of every believer.
In another wonderful passage of Scripture, we see God in His grace,
love, and mercy bringing a great change and "turning point"
in those who trust the Lord. In Titus chapter three we see ourselves
before the Lord comes into our lives. We were, foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasure, living in malice and envy,
hateful and hating one another. Another picture that is despicable.
But After!
"But af ter that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward
man appeared" --what a "turning point"I How did this
"turning point" come about? Negatively, we are told, "not
by works of righteousness which we have done." Positively, "it
was according to His mercy He saved us." How was this accomplished? This great change in our lives took place by
"the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which
He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Saviour".The
result of this change is "that being justified by His grace, we
should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
This "but after" turning point, just like the "but God"
turning point of Ephesians, can be shown in three tenses, that is, past,
present, and future. The before salvation, that is our past lost condition
can be seen in, • sometimes foolish-now sensible
• disobedient-now submissive
• deceived-now self disciplined
In our present saved condition, (by His grace) we are justified.
• We can show kindness and love
• We can maintain good works.
• Our future hope is to be "heirs according to eternal life".
These great "turning points" are not only spiritual in nature,
that is the works of the Holy Spirit, but are practical, that is, effective
in our daily lives. In one sense, we can say with the Apostle Paul in
Philippians 3:13-14,
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this
one thing
I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
We can in one sense say, "forgetting those things which are behind
(past) and reaching forth unto those things which are before (present),
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus, (future).
How grateful we should be that these great "turning points",
took place when God turned us around (converted) and gave us a new life
in Christ Jesus! Amen
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