Galatians 6:7-9 brings us a clear message using an illustration from the field of agriculture. As in agriculture you plant and cultivate the crop you want to grow and harvest, so it is with our spiritual life; the message in these verses clearly warn us against living to gratify those inherently corrupted works of the […]
Vineyards and the growing of grapes were a very important part of Israeli culture, with grapes and grape products being important commodities in their economy, the vine also being a symbol of peace and prosperity. The people thus being very familiar with viticulture and its value in their lives, God used it to describe them […]
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 […]
) I am God’s masterpiece! Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmen-ship…”, that is His product, His making, His handiwork, His masterpiece, created by the master artisan. Workmanship here has been compared to a poem, which does not create itself but flows from the heart of the Arthur. Psalm 100:3 cries out “… It […]
) 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 […]
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 […]
In Ephesians 1:7 redemption is immediately followed up with forgiveness. Redemption deals with the price that was paid to set us free from the penalty and slavery of sin, which opens the door to the “forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” In forgiveness all the sins with their eternal consequences are […]
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, […]