GOD MOVES MOUNTAINS

Brooke Wagliardo

Central Truth

God brings us out of the darkness and into the light.

[F]or at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

Walk in Love

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Reading this passage initially makes me want to start making my list of rights and wrongs, eager to please. But how many times have my best efforts failed? Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Thank God that He loves us enough to have paid the price of our sins! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." We are forgiven, and we are righteous in God's eyes. God also tells us we can rest in Him! Matthew 11:30 says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." When I put rule-following aside and let God work in me, I see my heart change. Philippians 2:13 says, "[F]or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Two years ago, I was filled with anger. I tried not to be, but there was a mountain of bitterness in my heart, and my best effort could not remove it. Through God's Word and the encouragement of other believers, I felt God asking me to submit to Him. When I finally obeyed, I watched God change my heart. At times, I would hear myself respond gently to a situation that used to enrage me. I watched myself let things go. Folks, it was NOTHING that I did! Matthew 21:21 says, "And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, "Be taken up and thrown into the sea," it will happen.'" God moved a mountain in me that I thought was impossible to move.

Paul gives us some ideas of how we can submit to God and let Him change our hearts:

Have nothing to do with darkness, but expose it.

Be wise; understand God's will for you.

Be filled with the Spirit.

Sing and give thanks.

1. What rules are you following either to try to achieve righteousness or to be perceived as righteous?

2. Brainstorm some practical ways you can put into practice the advice bulleted above.

3. What areas of darkness does your heart still go back to? Do you truly rest in what the Lord has done for you?