A wonderful book to read. It is virtually a Spiritual health check for us all.
Ephesians set out in memorable terms and vivid pictures, the practical consequences of what God has done in Christ.
Ephesians 1:4
Believers (followers of Christ) Christians are chosen. But let's read from verse 3: 'Blessed by God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens of Christ'.
Verse 4: 'For He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world, to be Holy and blameless in His sight.'
You see there is an 'US' there. If we are in Christ Jesus, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. We are chosen. There is a place God has made for us, and he will equip us. Believers have a new status.
Verse 7: 'In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace.'
(Speaking of Riches why not take a read of Old Fellow John's poem on riches here)
Believers are specially taught.
Verse 9: He has made known to us the mystery of His will.
Verse 13-14: Believers are given an inheritance.
All the wealth of heaven is made over to them, the Holy Spirit is a first installment or appetizer of all that God has for us in Christ.
Ephesians gives us hope. God is able to use even sinful human choices for His purposes and whatever God does for those in Christ, He does accordingly to a carefully orchestrated plan for their benefit.
Ephesians describes the eternal benefit of faith in Christ, it explains that our faith is a move from death to life.
In Ephesians, there is a focus on unity in Christ. We are members of the body of Christ. Ephesians compares the unity we have in Christ with a mantle unity. This book tells us to prepare for a fight not carnal, but spiritual warfare.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (Corinthians also written by Paul)
'For although we are walking in the flesh (physical appearance), we do not wage war in a fleshly way. Since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but physical through God for the demolition of strongholds.'
Paul was writing Ephesians from a jail cell but he didn't consider himself a prisoner of circumstance, he refers to himself as the prisoner of the Lord. It didn't matter to Paul that he was in jail, where ever he was he knew he was to do the Lord's work. Our ministry statement 'WE MUST BE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF OUR LORD AND FRIEND'.
Let us finish with Ephesians 2:17-18
'Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Holy Spirit.'
This is a brief study of Ephesians we would leave you to read. The whole book is refreshing for your walk with our Lord and Friend.
We will leave you with a reflective thought: 'It is never the cost of your ministry (or walk) that is inspirited, it is the fruit of your ministry (or walk) that is important to God'.
God bless.
OFJ
No comments:
Post a Comment