Ephesians, Day 3
Our Position – Part 2 |THE CHRISTIAN’S WEALTH and WALK
Ephesians Chapters 2 – 3
Definition of ‘”GRACE” God gave us something that we did not deserve.
Definition of “MERCY” God held back something from us that we did deserve.
As Paul concludes Ephesians Chapter 1, he talks about the power God the Father exerted into Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be HEAD over everything within the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1:22; 2:6, NIV, with paraphrase).
One outline of Ephesians Chapters 2 and 3 is
1. made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1 – 10).
2. one in Christ (Ephesians 2:11 – 22).
3. Paul the preacher to the gentiles (Ephesians 3:1 – 13).
4. A prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:14 – 21).
With Chapter 1 concluding the power and authority that God the Father gave to Christ Jesus, Paul informs the Ephesian readers of their new position in Christ. As Gentiles they were
1. dead in their transgressions and sins.
2. made alive with Christ through mercy and grace, NOT through works, because of God’s great love for the Gentiles.
3. part of the family of God and their home is in heaven seated with Christ Jesus.
4. enabled to do good works while on Earth for His glory.
In Ephesians 2:11 – 22; 3:1 – 13, Paul says,
1. Gentiles were aliens from the Old Testament promises and covenants.
2. The blood of Jesus Christ brought us into these promises and covenants.
3. The church (body of Christ) is the growing dwelling place of believing Jews and Gentiles.
4. The church was a mystery not foretold in the Old Testament but now revealed to the apostles.
5. This mystery (the church) has now been revealed to even the angels according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus.
6. God can now be approached with freedom and confidence.
In Ephesians 3:14 – 21, we see that
1. Paul prays for God to be real to us.
2. we might be strengthened by His Spirit.
3. Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith.
4. we should know the love of Christ.
5. the fullness of God would fill us.
6. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.
God’s redemptive plan included a hidden mystery
When Adam sinned and a sin nature entered all human beings, God revealed His plan of redemption for human beings in Genesis 3. His plan came through a nation (Israel). People who were not of Israeli heritage were called gentiles. The Old Testament reveals His plan with the Israeli nation (Jewish people) being the recipients of His promise and covenant with Abraham.
But when Christ died on the cross and sin was paid for by the blood of Jesus, God revealed His ultimate plan of redemption that included salvation not only available to Jews but Gentiles also. His ultimate plan of salvation for all mankind was revealed by the power given to Christ Jesus through His death, burial, and resurrection. Through His resurrection, we have been DECLARED
righteous (both Jew and Gentile) as those who receive Christ as their personal Savior.
It is hard to comprehend the magnitude of God’s love for human beings, that He would devise a plan for us so that we can live with Him for eternity — Inviting sinful beings that He declared righteous through the death, blood, and resurrection of His own Son so that we can dwell with Him forever. All I can do is PRAISE God for His love, grace, and mercy, for both Jews and Gentiles. That includes YOU and ME.
Blessings from Carlton Ringer