HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” Ephesians 2:12

I once was Christless. I had heard of Jesus with the hearing of the ear, but I did not know Him in my heart and life. He was not my Saviour, my Teacher, my King, my Friend — the Necessity of my life, to whom I turned perpetually and gladly. I was separate from Christ.

I once was homeless. I was frequently within the walls of the church, but I found no heart joy in it. It was not the Palace Beautiful to me; it was not my spiritual birthplace, my resort, my delight. I was alienated from the commonwealth of Israel.

I once was messageless. The Bible was often in my hands — but its warnings did not move me, its precepts did not command me, and its good news did not rejoice me. I was a stranger from the covenants of promise.

I once was hopeless. I professed that I was going to Heaven. But the belief, whenever I looked it fairly in the face, brought me alarm, for I had no true hope.

I once was godless. I was not an atheist in theory and by profession — but practically an atheist. I was not governed by the thought of His presence who fills all Heaven and earth. I was not rejoicing in His fellowship. I was not seeking His glory. Nay, I was without God in the world which God’s fingers made!

My Lord, You have changed all this, I will look back today to the pit whence You have dug me. It will deepen my humility. It will heighten my praise.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions — made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus!” Ephesians 2:4-6