) 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 […]
Having believed in Christ to salvation the Bible says “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13. There are two primary purposes for a seal, first it is a mark of authenticity such as a brand or trade mark, identifying it to anyone who looks upon it; second, it is a secure […]
Ephesians 1:11 says “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance…” this is a beneficiary, often called an heir, although technically in America the conditions under which a beneficiary and an heir receive the inheritance may differ, the benefits are the same; in either case it is receiving assets from a predecessor. We are promised […]
“In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood…” Ephesians 1:7. Redemption requires that there be a redeemer – one that pays the price demanded to obtain the release of that which has been held in captivity or danger. The picture and pattern of redemption is clearly laid out in the Old Testament; it could […]
The next stop we make here in Ephesians is in 1:6 where we are told that “He made us accepted…” We could say “He has graced us with special honor” or He has highly favored us. Notice that this acceptance which is graced with honor and high favor is in “in the beloved” that is […]
Ephesians 1:5 continues by saying, “having predestined us to adoption…” Being predestinated is not what some erroneously interpret and teach, that certain ones are chosen to be saved while others are predestined to damnation. This twisted doctrine does not fly in the face of overall Biblical teaching which is that “God…desires all men (mankind) to […]
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 […]
Continuing to look at what we are in Christ we come to Ephesians 1:4, “…He (God) chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world…” What security, what satisfaction, what a relationship, to be a chosen part of the family, no longer an outsider just looking in; rather to enjoy the fellowship, provisions, […]