MAKING THE WORD MY OWN

When we read the Word of God, it is relevant to each of us in our personal lives and our personal relationship to Jesus Christ. Sometimes as we read, we fail to make the words our own and instead we understand the passages as general to all mankind or all Christians. While the Word is meant for all, God desires us to identify with His Word and make it our own. The following passage from Ephesians describes our condition before we were saved and the result of our salvation through faith. Read the passage from the Word here. If you prefer another translation, feel free to get your Bible and read it from there. After reading this passage, we will personalize it and make it our own.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

1. "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2. 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--3. 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. 4. But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--6. and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9. not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." 

To personalize this passage, replace "you" with "I", "me", or "my". As you do this, notice what you are reading, the words. Allow the Lord to speak to you. As you read, you can freely worship and know that the marvelous grace and mercy of God is meant for YOU. I will personalize the passage so you can experience personally what God has done. 

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)


1. "And I was dead in the trespasses and sins 2. in which I 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--3. among whom I once lived in the passions of my flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and was by nature a child of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4. But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved me, 5. even when I was dead in my trespasses, made me alive together with Christ--by grace I have been saved--6. and raised me up with him and seated me with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward me in Christ Jesus. 8. For by grace I have been saved through faith. And this is not my own doing; it is the gift of God, 9. not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10. For I am his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that I should walk in them."

What an awesome gift of love and grace my God showed to ME!