Remember

It is our nature to try to forget. You know. We try to put the bad things behind us. We try to forget the pains we've suffered and the tribulations we've faced. We try to forget the wrongs others have done us and the losses we've endured. Just put it behind you. That's the aim.

So it might come across as a little strange when Paul says, "Remember."

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands — remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Eph 2:11-12)

If the notion is to forget trials and tribulations, certainly a list like that would fall in the "forget" category. "Having no hope" and "without God" are sufficient losses to seek to erase from your memory. And Paul says, "Remember." Why?

The point (the point of everything) is God's glory. The point is "so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:7) The point is "so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places." (Eph 3:10) So, God, according to His eternal purpose (Eph 3:11), has chosen the outsiders, so to speak, to demonstrate the magnitude of His glory. In so doing, we also receive benefits. We know, for instance, that he who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7::47).

So, remember. Remember where you came from. Remember how low you were. Remember that we were without hope and without God. Remember so that God receives the greatest glory for bringing the most hopeless to Himself. Remember so that we can properly reflect His glory and make known His wisdom. Remember so we can be proportionately grateful. Remember.