In Hebrews 6:1 we read “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection”. Perfection here means completeness or maturity; it is like moving from first to second grade, not repeating the first over and over again, but building on the foundation that has already been laid. 2 […]
Dust and spirit In Genesis 2:7 God created our body out “of the dust of the ground” and then breathed into it “the breath of life”, we could say the spirit of life; remember “God is Spirit” John 4:24, and we were created “in the image of God” Genesis 1:27. Then God gave us […]
Jesus, Himself being the living manifestation of the word of God, John 1:1, said “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life”, John 6:63. Today we are looking at the characteristics and life giving power of the word of God which is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged […]
God does not violate the human will, but the Scripture makes it very clear that from start to finish our salvation depends on Him! Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The Living Bible paraphrases it like this, “For God is […]
A vine without branches does not produce fruit; neither does a branch produce a harvest without a vine! This is the backdrop Jesus used in John 15:1-8 to teach His disciples about their relationship with Him. In verses 5, 8 He makes it very clear, “I am the vine, you are the branches…By this My […]
The first three chapters of Ephesians leans heavily on what we have received and are in Christ, and the last three on how we should live and walk in Christ. 2:19 brings us to a great ending spot for our series of fifteen things we are in Christ, saying that we are “…fellow citizens with […]
) The Scripture says God has “made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:5-6. Far too often we Christians fail to recognize the depth and fullness of our calling and position in Christ Jesus. This may be one reason […]
Ephesians 2:1, 5 speak of the time God, “when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ”. The Bible here is not speaking of our physical life, although to be certain this life is attributable to Him since it is He who “gives to all life, breath, and all things” Acts 17:25. […]
“the eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18-19. This comes either as a part of the Apostles prayer beginning in verse 16, or I think very likely as a […]
Ephesians 1:4 continues by telling us why we have been chosen; it is not just so we can enter heaven, though that is the end result, neither is it so we can boast that we have been placed in God’s safety net; it is “that we should be holy and without blame (unblemished)…” So what […]