Permanent Ink

Permanent Ink

Bible: Ephesians 5:8-21

Reading

[Make] the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is (VV.16-17).

A patient checked in to a hospital for a life-saving amputation. He awoke to find that the wrong foot had been cut off. In the same hospital, another patient had surgery on the wrong knee. Many people from the healthcare system point out that such tragic cases are like plane crashes—they are newsworthy because they are so
rare. In that hospital, the staff came up with a plan to avoid any more mistakes like this: nurses now write “NO” with a black marker pen on healthy limbs to make sure they’re not removed.

The Bible also tells us to do more than just recognise our past wrongs; we must take steps to avoid doing the same in the future. Paul warned the Christians in Ephesus to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of
darkness, but rather expose them” (EPHESIANS 5:11). Jesus has saved us from judgement, but we still risk harm and loss here and now because of our selfishness. Our instincts still lead us to do things that don’t please God (GALATIANS 5:16-17).

But as Christians, everything has changed. Our relationship with God has changed. Our once hopeless future is now bright with promise. We have the opportunity to listen and follow His Spirit and to walk with the God who does good rather than harm.

WISE PEOPLE DON’T JUST ADMIT THEIR MISTAKES,

THEY TRY TO AVOID THEM IN THE FUTURE.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries