1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
And you. Paul began this section by addressing the Jewish believers, those who associated themselves with the Abrahamic Covenant. Now he turns to the Gentiles in the fellowship of believers there in Ephesus.
You also, without distinction. Jews and Gentiles alike. When it comes to being saved by the blood of Jesus, everything is irrelevant except the condition of the heart of each repentant, believing sinner. That Is all that matters, spiritually, and that is all that should matter in the fellowship of believers.
Marked in the Holy Spirit. At first I thought, “Marked by the Holy Spirit.” No, the Holy Spirit does not just leave a mark, he resides, as it were, in me. The mark is his doing. “This person is mine,” is the mark he puts on us. “Don is mine! Betty is mine! See, I have marked them. That is to indicate that we are now in him.”
A seal. A seal makes a transaction official. It makes it final.
Sometimes a seal closes a document, to be revealed only when the seal is broken. The blessed Holy Spirit, given to us freely, is the seal that is placed on our lives. We are a marked people, bearing the seal of the Holy Spirit who is now our owner.
Thank you, Lord, for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Wonderful now – and even more awesome as life moves on.
The Holy Spirit is 1) a present reality, reviving my heart day after day, 2) a guarantee of coming inheritance. Thank you, God, for the daily experience of knowing that your Holy Spirit is shaping me, giving me peace and hope and for keeping me moving toward the evermore precious inheritance of grace.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Eph. 1:11, 12
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
In him we were all chosen. My eyes fall on the huge small word, all. This covenant, the new covenant in Christ’s blood, is for all. This was God’s choosing, not ours.
This is the way I view predestination – it is not a matter of choosing whom to bless and whom not to bless, depending on the whim of God, but the essential meaning, according to Paul, is that God predestinated that we Gentiles will have the same access to salvation and all the blessings of God as those Jews had under the Abrahamic Covenant. God predestinated that we Gentiles should have the same spiritual privileges as the Jews.
The Jews had difficulty seeing it that way. They viewed the Abrahamic Covenant as including only them, the Jews, not the Gentiles. I believe they killed Jesus, in part, because they thought he despised their culture and they thought he was as eager to bless Gentiles as he was the Jews, if not more. This seemed, to them, to be contrary to the Abrahamic Covenant that had the Jews as the chosen ones.
As I see it, the chosen is not a promise for the future, only, but a reality because in him is now a reality. He lives and he is alive in us.
For the Jews, the Covenant was words – for me it is a present reality. Because it is in him. Now.
12 In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
God’s plans is that the Jews, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And us Gentiles are now included in Christ when we heard and believed. We join in glorifying God, a chorus of Jews and Gentiles alike.
That is the mystery or the plan that Paul is so excited about, all in Christ, Christ in all! And all in fellowship with one another in the atoning blessings of Jesus Christ. This as at the heart of the message of the Gospel and the centerpiece of our faith.
This is not theoretical, or rhetorical, but is practical and observable. We are all, those who are in Christ, marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit who was promised – now, here.
As we get around the world we experience this unity of the Spirit. It is uncanny and marvelous. The Holy Spirit has the same effect in my life as in the lives of all who believe. I am melded into that mysterious but absolutely real Body of Christ. I, too, am a believer. Glorious thought!
God chooses my spiritual family and gives me mercy, in line with his own plenteousness in mercy, to live in glorious unity with them all, so that God might be glorified.
In him we were all chosen. My eyes fall on the huge small word, all. This covenant, the new covenant in Christ’s blood, is for all. This was God’s choosing, not ours.
This is the way I view predestination – it is not a matter of choosing whom to bless and whom not to bless, depending on the whim of God, but the essential meaning, according to Paul, is that God predestinated that we Gentiles will have the same access to salvation and all the blessings of God as those Jews had under the Abrahamic Covenant. God predestinated that we Gentiles should have the same spiritual privileges as the Jews.
The Jews had difficulty seeing it that way. They viewed the Abrahamic Covenant as including only them, the Jews, not the Gentiles. I believe they killed Jesus, in part, because they thought he despised their culture and they thought he was as eager to bless Gentiles as he was the Jews, if not more. This seemed, to them, to be contrary to the Abrahamic Covenant that had the Jews as the chosen ones.
As I see it, the chosen is not a promise for the future, only, but a reality because in him is now a reality. He lives and he is alive in us.
For the Jews, the Covenant was words – for me it is a present reality. Because it is in him. Now.
12 In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
God’s plans is that the Jews, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And us Gentiles are now included in Christ when we heard and believed. We join in glorifying God, a chorus of Jews and Gentiles alike.
That is the mystery or the plan that Paul is so excited about, all in Christ, Christ in all! And all in fellowship with one another in the atoning blessings of Jesus Christ. This as at the heart of the message of the Gospel and the centerpiece of our faith.
This is not theoretical, or rhetorical, but is practical and observable. We are all, those who are in Christ, marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit who was promised – now, here.
As we get around the world we experience this unity of the Spirit. It is uncanny and marvelous. The Holy Spirit has the same effect in my life as in the lives of all who believe. I am melded into that mysterious but absolutely real Body of Christ. I, too, am a believer. Glorious thought!
God chooses my spiritual family and gives me mercy, in line with his own plenteousness in mercy, to live in glorious unity with them all, so that God might be glorified.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Eph. 1:10
10 The purpose, To bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Chreist.
What a vision! The magnet that draws all iron filings to itself is Jesus. What was separated is brought into a unity around our Risen Head. As I think of this, it is a vision I wish to rekindle in my own heart.
All under Christ. All my bits and pieces that I controlled by my own self effort are now drawn to Jesus Christ. All arrows point to one place, to Jesus. If there is a cluster of desires in me that look to me for fulfillment, I will inevitably be weakened in my relationship with my Father in heaven. In the Kingdom that Jesus is establishing, all parts are drawn to him, the Head. Any part of the body that functions contrary to the will of the head weakens the entire body and will bring about muddle and finally death.
This plan makes obsolete and meaningless all other human attempts to bring about unity – which is an attempt to get all people within a group to face the same way and proceed to a common goal together. This is the dream of every culture. Always alluring, never fully attained.
That drive is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God that Jesus established. It is made possible by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. This unity is amazing – all believers are drawn more and more into the person of Jesus. It is only there, where the blood of Jesus is spilled, that true unity, eternal unity, is possible.
All things in heaven and earth. I see a startling revelation here. All things in heaven and on earth find unity in Christ Jesus. When I think of unity it is either unity that brings all my personal parts into conformity to Jesus Christ or a unity among mankind that brings peace and harmony. I think I am right about those two things. But Paul introduces a new idea here - Jesus unifies all things in heaven and earth. He unifies heaven. That we see in the Book of Revelation. And in his Kingdom he unifies things on the earth. Now he broadens that vision of unity to include both earth and heaven in one bundle. Jesus binds both together. He taught us to pray that this purpose be realized. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Quite often in my life it seems as though the veil that separates heaven from earth dissolves and the two are one. Jesus, in heaven, is just as really in my study, at my computer as he is in heaven's throne. He binds heaven and earth, even now, if only we could see!
Praise Him forever. Amen.
What a vision! The magnet that draws all iron filings to itself is Jesus. What was separated is brought into a unity around our Risen Head. As I think of this, it is a vision I wish to rekindle in my own heart.
All under Christ. All my bits and pieces that I controlled by my own self effort are now drawn to Jesus Christ. All arrows point to one place, to Jesus. If there is a cluster of desires in me that look to me for fulfillment, I will inevitably be weakened in my relationship with my Father in heaven. In the Kingdom that Jesus is establishing, all parts are drawn to him, the Head. Any part of the body that functions contrary to the will of the head weakens the entire body and will bring about muddle and finally death.
This plan makes obsolete and meaningless all other human attempts to bring about unity – which is an attempt to get all people within a group to face the same way and proceed to a common goal together. This is the dream of every culture. Always alluring, never fully attained.
That drive is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God that Jesus established. It is made possible by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. This unity is amazing – all believers are drawn more and more into the person of Jesus. It is only there, where the blood of Jesus is spilled, that true unity, eternal unity, is possible.
All things in heaven and earth. I see a startling revelation here. All things in heaven and on earth find unity in Christ Jesus. When I think of unity it is either unity that brings all my personal parts into conformity to Jesus Christ or a unity among mankind that brings peace and harmony. I think I am right about those two things. But Paul introduces a new idea here - Jesus unifies all things in heaven and earth. He unifies heaven. That we see in the Book of Revelation. And in his Kingdom he unifies things on the earth. Now he broadens that vision of unity to include both earth and heaven in one bundle. Jesus binds both together. He taught us to pray that this purpose be realized. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Quite often in my life it seems as though the veil that separates heaven from earth dissolves and the two are one. Jesus, in heaven, is just as really in my study, at my computer as he is in heaven's throne. He binds heaven and earth, even now, if only we could see!
Praise Him forever. Amen.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Eph. 1:9
9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
The mystery is no longer a mystery, the plot is now unfolded for all to see and accept. It must have been a mystery indeed, for the Jews under the Old Covenant, for example, to believe that somehow the sacrifices that they were offering had any eternal consequences at all. They surely knew that animal blood can not possibly take away one sin. To them it must have been a mystery how God can possibly forgive sin. They certainly knew that he was not impressed with their endless blood sacrifices. Furthermore, they knew that God planned for them to bless the nations. Old Scriptures speak to that again and again. Centuries passed and they could see little of that promise fulfilled. They lived by faith, knowing that God will reveal the mystery of his will – sometime.
We come now to the New Covenant. Paul declared, as the Gospel always does, that God has made known to us the mystery of his will. That mystery is no longer hidden. We know the will of God – that a way is open for all to be saved and enjoy life with Him forever.
To us who believe, this mystery is now an unbelievable blessing. We are privileged to announce to all mankind that the way is open for all to come to God for forgiveness of sins, and for a place in the family of God, regardless of culture, language or religion.
To us.
Who are the us? We are the Apostles, the eyewitnesses at first. Now us are all of us who are in the growing community of the Body of Christ. To us the mystery is no longer concealed but is common knowledge – all are invited to believe in Jesus Christ. We announce that fact with absolute certainty. Salvation is not limited to the Jews or to any one people, but to all who believe.
But how did this happen? What was transacted to make it possible for all people everywhere to know the fellowship with God? That is where the mystery lay. In reading about God’s covenant with Abraham and the patriarchs it appears as though God had a plan. That was to bless one particular family on the face of the earth and then to use that family to bring the knowledge of God to all. The Jews found it difficult to believe that God could make such a covenant with other tribes and nation. The Jews stood under the cloud of this mystery – how is God going to save all people?
The answer is clear, the atoning work was done by Christ and “In Christ.” Jesus Christ is the key to the mystery. He unfolds the atoning plot before our eyes. That is the story told in the Gospels.
At the center of Jesus’ work was atonement for sins. Jesus, God’s Lamb, willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for sin so that God can legally forgive all confessed sin. That is why Jesus could announce to his Disciples in the Upper Room that he is making a New Covenant, the Covenant in his Blood, a Covenant that includes every person on earth. This open door was predestined before the earth was formed.
Jesus’ blood deals with the sin issue for all. He is the perfect, eternal, effectual sacrifice, meant for and available for all who believe. The purposes of God placed Jesus as the central figure in the New Covenant of God’s grace. That is why Paul could be so clear and emphatic, God purposed to open the door of salvation for all – In Christ.
Paul goes on to explain another wonder. God did all this according to his good pleasure. He was not forced to do this or pressed to do it. He did it all according to his good pleasure. It was the full expression of his love. God so loved that… Even before the first angel fell or the first star was hurled into space, the way of return to God was already being established – The Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world. I am a happy recipient of this plan of God that can be explained only by peering into the love of God. It was all an expression of his compelling, eternal love. Who can begin to explain that? I stand in awe and worship.
The mystery is no longer a mystery, the plot is now unfolded for all to see and accept. It must have been a mystery indeed, for the Jews under the Old Covenant, for example, to believe that somehow the sacrifices that they were offering had any eternal consequences at all. They surely knew that animal blood can not possibly take away one sin. To them it must have been a mystery how God can possibly forgive sin. They certainly knew that he was not impressed with their endless blood sacrifices. Furthermore, they knew that God planned for them to bless the nations. Old Scriptures speak to that again and again. Centuries passed and they could see little of that promise fulfilled. They lived by faith, knowing that God will reveal the mystery of his will – sometime.
We come now to the New Covenant. Paul declared, as the Gospel always does, that God has made known to us the mystery of his will. That mystery is no longer hidden. We know the will of God – that a way is open for all to be saved and enjoy life with Him forever.
To us who believe, this mystery is now an unbelievable blessing. We are privileged to announce to all mankind that the way is open for all to come to God for forgiveness of sins, and for a place in the family of God, regardless of culture, language or religion.
To us.
Who are the us? We are the Apostles, the eyewitnesses at first. Now us are all of us who are in the growing community of the Body of Christ. To us the mystery is no longer concealed but is common knowledge – all are invited to believe in Jesus Christ. We announce that fact with absolute certainty. Salvation is not limited to the Jews or to any one people, but to all who believe.
But how did this happen? What was transacted to make it possible for all people everywhere to know the fellowship with God? That is where the mystery lay. In reading about God’s covenant with Abraham and the patriarchs it appears as though God had a plan. That was to bless one particular family on the face of the earth and then to use that family to bring the knowledge of God to all. The Jews found it difficult to believe that God could make such a covenant with other tribes and nation. The Jews stood under the cloud of this mystery – how is God going to save all people?
The answer is clear, the atoning work was done by Christ and “In Christ.” Jesus Christ is the key to the mystery. He unfolds the atoning plot before our eyes. That is the story told in the Gospels.
At the center of Jesus’ work was atonement for sins. Jesus, God’s Lamb, willingly gave his life as a sacrifice for sin so that God can legally forgive all confessed sin. That is why Jesus could announce to his Disciples in the Upper Room that he is making a New Covenant, the Covenant in his Blood, a Covenant that includes every person on earth. This open door was predestined before the earth was formed.
Jesus’ blood deals with the sin issue for all. He is the perfect, eternal, effectual sacrifice, meant for and available for all who believe. The purposes of God placed Jesus as the central figure in the New Covenant of God’s grace. That is why Paul could be so clear and emphatic, God purposed to open the door of salvation for all – In Christ.
Paul goes on to explain another wonder. God did all this according to his good pleasure. He was not forced to do this or pressed to do it. He did it all according to his good pleasure. It was the full expression of his love. God so loved that… Even before the first angel fell or the first star was hurled into space, the way of return to God was already being established – The Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world. I am a happy recipient of this plan of God that can be explained only by peering into the love of God. It was all an expression of his compelling, eternal love. Who can begin to explain that? I stand in awe and worship.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Eph. 1:8
1:8 He lavished (grace) on us with all wisdom and understanding.
With all wisdom. I believe this refers to God’s wisdom. He lavishes grace on us according to his infinite, purposeful wisdom. He is the All Wise One. We can not demand grace. All we can do is receive it. It is our God that pours out his grace on us. Paul points to the fact that God is wise in how he dispenses his grace. This does not mean that God withholds grace from one and pours it on another. No. He knows each person individually and pours out his grace that is appropriate for that person at that moment.
With all understanding. Who understands me? One thing is sure, not me! How can I know myself if I am bound within the parameters of the life that I inhabit? God sees all and knows me through and through. He alone knows how to break my bondages so that I can live at peace in his presence.
He understands me, and all my needs. Knowing that, he pours out his grace. In human terms we might say, God does not waste grace by pouring out where it will not be appropriated! He administers his grace with complete understanding. His grace is always ample, poured out lavishly, but it is poured where it will find a response and so make a difference. Having said that, I am further convinced that God is not stingy in the way he dispenses his grace. He is lavish! Certainly not all his grace is received or even appreciated. But he goes on pouring it out in any case.
With all wisdom. I believe this refers to God’s wisdom. He lavishes grace on us according to his infinite, purposeful wisdom. He is the All Wise One. We can not demand grace. All we can do is receive it. It is our God that pours out his grace on us. Paul points to the fact that God is wise in how he dispenses his grace. This does not mean that God withholds grace from one and pours it on another. No. He knows each person individually and pours out his grace that is appropriate for that person at that moment.
With all understanding. Who understands me? One thing is sure, not me! How can I know myself if I am bound within the parameters of the life that I inhabit? God sees all and knows me through and through. He alone knows how to break my bondages so that I can live at peace in his presence.
He understands me, and all my needs. Knowing that, he pours out his grace. In human terms we might say, God does not waste grace by pouring out where it will not be appropriated! He administers his grace with complete understanding. His grace is always ample, poured out lavishly, but it is poured where it will find a response and so make a difference. Having said that, I am further convinced that God is not stingy in the way he dispenses his grace. He is lavish! Certainly not all his grace is received or even appreciated. But he goes on pouring it out in any case.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Eph. 1:7
7 Redemption through his blood.
Through his blood. Here Paul uses shorthand to explain something that absolutely baffles the mind of anyone who seriously tries to plumb its meaning. His blood catches in a bundle all the wisdom, teaching, healing, self-giving, suffering, joy and resurrection life of Christ and presents it all to us, freely. That, I think, encompasses some of the immense scope of the benefits of the Atonement.
One of the main benefits of his blood, however, is the forgiveness of sins. Not just after death, but right now. Divine forgiveness is not just hope but a concrete actuality. As we consider the meaning of the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for us, we are probably at the heart of its meaning when we reach the point where Jesus made it possible for God to forgive sins. Only through the blood of Jesus does God have the right to forgive sins. Having that right, he is eager to bestow that blessing on all of us who believe.
His blood takes away sin, cleanses the sinner then sets him or her free to worship and obey God Almighty. As his blood is applied to my life by sincere confession and implicit faith, I am freed from not only the burden of sin but all of the weight of guilt that hovers over sin. If my sins are washed away in his blood I waste time and effort agonizing over my sin or sins that I have placed “under his blood.”
Any doctrine of Salvation that does not have his Blood as the operative center of forgiveness is not Christian and, indeed, is not true. There is only one way we can be at peace with God, that is if God works out a way to cleanse me of my sin and gives me a new nature.
When I first came to Christ it was not hard or embarrassing to approach God as a desperate sinner. But how about now, decades later? God’s answer to that is clear. He says, “You need the cleansing and renewing blood of Jesus Christ to break and cleanse your sinful nature every day.” Until I die? Absolutely! God has a hard time convincing me that I am a sinner, now. But I am finding that once I see myself as having no need for his Blood as I try to live “the holy life” I am on the downward slope to dryness.
For Paul, the secret to life with God is the enabling power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Every authentic Christian revival is a rediscovery of the astounding power of his blood, shed for all mankind.
7 b In accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Not in accordance with the law and justice of God – but in accordance with the riches of his grace. This grace he “lavished on us.” I seldom use the word, lavish, but I assume it means to pour out in amazing abundance. I know so little of this. But my heart yearns to learn more
Through his blood. Here Paul uses shorthand to explain something that absolutely baffles the mind of anyone who seriously tries to plumb its meaning. His blood catches in a bundle all the wisdom, teaching, healing, self-giving, suffering, joy and resurrection life of Christ and presents it all to us, freely. That, I think, encompasses some of the immense scope of the benefits of the Atonement.
One of the main benefits of his blood, however, is the forgiveness of sins. Not just after death, but right now. Divine forgiveness is not just hope but a concrete actuality. As we consider the meaning of the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for us, we are probably at the heart of its meaning when we reach the point where Jesus made it possible for God to forgive sins. Only through the blood of Jesus does God have the right to forgive sins. Having that right, he is eager to bestow that blessing on all of us who believe.
His blood takes away sin, cleanses the sinner then sets him or her free to worship and obey God Almighty. As his blood is applied to my life by sincere confession and implicit faith, I am freed from not only the burden of sin but all of the weight of guilt that hovers over sin. If my sins are washed away in his blood I waste time and effort agonizing over my sin or sins that I have placed “under his blood.”
Any doctrine of Salvation that does not have his Blood as the operative center of forgiveness is not Christian and, indeed, is not true. There is only one way we can be at peace with God, that is if God works out a way to cleanse me of my sin and gives me a new nature.
When I first came to Christ it was not hard or embarrassing to approach God as a desperate sinner. But how about now, decades later? God’s answer to that is clear. He says, “You need the cleansing and renewing blood of Jesus Christ to break and cleanse your sinful nature every day.” Until I die? Absolutely! God has a hard time convincing me that I am a sinner, now. But I am finding that once I see myself as having no need for his Blood as I try to live “the holy life” I am on the downward slope to dryness.
For Paul, the secret to life with God is the enabling power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Every authentic Christian revival is a rediscovery of the astounding power of his blood, shed for all mankind.
7 b In accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Not in accordance with the law and justice of God – but in accordance with the riches of his grace. This grace he “lavished on us.” I seldom use the word, lavish, but I assume it means to pour out in amazing abundance. I know so little of this. But my heart yearns to learn more
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Eph. 1:7, 8
Eph. 1:7, 8 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
In him we have redemption through his blood.
“In him.” The grace of God gives us Jesus and all grace is to be found “in him.” Is this not marvelous beyond words, that I, a sinner, can experience life “in Jesus?” Not life in self, or life in culture, or life in a religion or life in self-effort, but life “in” him. Everything I need is “in him.” But how can I get it?
That is not the question, the question is, how can God get me to realize that I need to recalculate, every day, what it means be in Jesus? My challenge is to be in Jesus moment by moment, thinking Jesus’ thoughts, buoyed by his Spirit, broken and repentant. How much of my life do I really live “in him?” It is only by the grace of God that any of us get on in this pilgrimage of faith. We would despair but for the simple fact that we live our entire lives and will live all eternity “in him.” This being “in him” is one of the most comforting realities that has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit of God. I have come to the conclusion that it is futile to try to live as a Christian unless my total life is fully given to live “in him.” If I live in anything else I perish.
Life “in Jesus” is difficult to grasp, fully. I see it but in vague outline. In my own life I believe I started by believing in Jesus. I meant it. But along the way, I realized that something happened, instead of just believing in Jesus, I began to see that I can and should live “in him.” That process continues, even as I write these words. I am still a learner in the school of God’s grace, learning what it means to be in Jesus no matter what.
A further word: when I am “in him” I can see God, the Father of Jesus. I find myself seeing what Jesus sees, feeling what he feels, loving as he loves. Jesus has no problem seeing God’s love – if I am in Jesus I see through though his eyes, not my own, because my eyes filter out everything that I do not want or do not even want to understand. When I stand outside of Jesus and ponder the mighty and deep works of God nothing happens in my soul. If I ponder the glory of God while “in him,” my soul leaps for joy and I find comfort beyond telling.
We have redemption. I suppose we could rephrase this – “We are redeemed.” I think they amount to the same thing. The core meaning is simple, I am justly condemned because of my deeds and because of my rebellious spirit. Someone comes to my rescue, pays what it costs to set me free and then breaks the chains of bondage to sin so that I can willingly serve my “Redeemer.”
This is especially amazing when I remember that the price of my redemption was made long before I felt a need for it. It was always there, so to speak, in the heart of God. It just had to be accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In him we have redemption through his blood.
“In him.” The grace of God gives us Jesus and all grace is to be found “in him.” Is this not marvelous beyond words, that I, a sinner, can experience life “in Jesus?” Not life in self, or life in culture, or life in a religion or life in self-effort, but life “in” him. Everything I need is “in him.” But how can I get it?
That is not the question, the question is, how can God get me to realize that I need to recalculate, every day, what it means be in Jesus? My challenge is to be in Jesus moment by moment, thinking Jesus’ thoughts, buoyed by his Spirit, broken and repentant. How much of my life do I really live “in him?” It is only by the grace of God that any of us get on in this pilgrimage of faith. We would despair but for the simple fact that we live our entire lives and will live all eternity “in him.” This being “in him” is one of the most comforting realities that has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit of God. I have come to the conclusion that it is futile to try to live as a Christian unless my total life is fully given to live “in him.” If I live in anything else I perish.
Life “in Jesus” is difficult to grasp, fully. I see it but in vague outline. In my own life I believe I started by believing in Jesus. I meant it. But along the way, I realized that something happened, instead of just believing in Jesus, I began to see that I can and should live “in him.” That process continues, even as I write these words. I am still a learner in the school of God’s grace, learning what it means to be in Jesus no matter what.
A further word: when I am “in him” I can see God, the Father of Jesus. I find myself seeing what Jesus sees, feeling what he feels, loving as he loves. Jesus has no problem seeing God’s love – if I am in Jesus I see through though his eyes, not my own, because my eyes filter out everything that I do not want or do not even want to understand. When I stand outside of Jesus and ponder the mighty and deep works of God nothing happens in my soul. If I ponder the glory of God while “in him,” my soul leaps for joy and I find comfort beyond telling.
We have redemption. I suppose we could rephrase this – “We are redeemed.” I think they amount to the same thing. The core meaning is simple, I am justly condemned because of my deeds and because of my rebellious spirit. Someone comes to my rescue, pays what it costs to set me free and then breaks the chains of bondage to sin so that I can willingly serve my “Redeemer.”
This is especially amazing when I remember that the price of my redemption was made long before I felt a need for it. It was always there, so to speak, in the heart of God. It just had to be accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Eph. 1:6
Eph 1:6 ..to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Once again, with emphasis! LOVE. The source of all grace is nothing less than the love of God. God loves. God is love. God always loves. There is not one wit of unlove in God. It is that compelling love that bound the Father and Son in absolute unity.
In the One he loves. I find it interesting that Paul does not begin with God’s love for us, he begins by reminding us of God’s love for his Son, Jesus Christ. We receive the marvelous flow of grace from God because of his love for Jesus. All other loves follow. God loves me because he loves Jesus. I love God because he loves Jesus. We can trace every love-bond between mankind and God to the love-bond between the Father and the Son. That love is not only the source of all grace but is the love that we have, through the new birth, as we relate not only to God but to one another.
Grace – freely given us. These are key truths. Everything of God comes because of his dynamic love. That is what we call grace. What comes from God to us is not what earn but is a gift of God’s grace. This is marvelous good news to everyone. Every religion believes you must give something to God in order to get something from him. The Gospel shows a better way, God gives to us so that we can give everything back to him! This is the liberating power of the grace of God. There is no bondage in grace, only true freedom to return to God what is his, it is the basis of all spiritual worship.
Once again, with emphasis! LOVE. The source of all grace is nothing less than the love of God. God loves. God is love. God always loves. There is not one wit of unlove in God. It is that compelling love that bound the Father and Son in absolute unity.
In the One he loves. I find it interesting that Paul does not begin with God’s love for us, he begins by reminding us of God’s love for his Son, Jesus Christ. We receive the marvelous flow of grace from God because of his love for Jesus. All other loves follow. God loves me because he loves Jesus. I love God because he loves Jesus. We can trace every love-bond between mankind and God to the love-bond between the Father and the Son. That love is not only the source of all grace but is the love that we have, through the new birth, as we relate not only to God but to one another.
Grace – freely given us. These are key truths. Everything of God comes because of his dynamic love. That is what we call grace. What comes from God to us is not what earn but is a gift of God’s grace. This is marvelous good news to everyone. Every religion believes you must give something to God in order to get something from him. The Gospel shows a better way, God gives to us so that we can give everything back to him! This is the liberating power of the grace of God. There is no bondage in grace, only true freedom to return to God what is his, it is the basis of all spiritual worship.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Eph. 1:5, 6
5 In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
Through Jesus Christ. We can be adopted only because of what Jesus did. He made atonement for sins and placed in us a new heart and blessed us with the Holy Spirit to keep us walking with him in the paths of holiness.
Take Jesus out of the picture and one is left with only the wrath of God.
In accordance with his pleasure and will. God wants all people to be saved – not just a few with whom he makes covenant. This was the Jewish blind spot - they thought it was God’s good pleasure to bless them and make them into special agents of God on the earth. No. God loves – he loves all people – Israel was only a means – not an end. That can be said of any human institution or religion, they are only means. The end purpose of God’s love is the blessing of all people everywhere.
6 To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Paul is so thrilled and excited by this revelation into the heart of God that he says, “To the praise of his glorious grace.” Before this magnificent vision – all one in Christ – whose soul is so withered it can not be deeply moved? A note of praise swells up to give God the glory for such a magnificent work – Jesus for all, forever.
The centerpiece of it all is God’s “glorious grace.” That is the only possible explanation. It is certainly not human achievement – we are hopeless. It is surely the grace of God poured out on all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.
I think this truth is the watershed. It was good news for the Gentiles but, at first, bad news for the Jews who believed that there is a way to truly please God - by strictly obeying his immutable law. That is what they strove for – not some virtue that began in the heart of God – love that loves all people everywhere, always, but a virtue of their own, obedience!
The grand revelation is that it was the purpose of God – as long as God loves – to make a way for all people to have fellowship with God – to fulfill God’s plan – and the desires of all peoples – whose religious and philosophical systems were little more than powerful yearnings to know God. The Gospel declares with boldness, God adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ
Through Jesus Christ. We can be adopted only because of what Jesus did. He made atonement for sins and placed in us a new heart and blessed us with the Holy Spirit to keep us walking with him in the paths of holiness.
Take Jesus out of the picture and one is left with only the wrath of God.
In accordance with his pleasure and will. God wants all people to be saved – not just a few with whom he makes covenant. This was the Jewish blind spot - they thought it was God’s good pleasure to bless them and make them into special agents of God on the earth. No. God loves – he loves all people – Israel was only a means – not an end. That can be said of any human institution or religion, they are only means. The end purpose of God’s love is the blessing of all people everywhere.
6 To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Paul is so thrilled and excited by this revelation into the heart of God that he says, “To the praise of his glorious grace.” Before this magnificent vision – all one in Christ – whose soul is so withered it can not be deeply moved? A note of praise swells up to give God the glory for such a magnificent work – Jesus for all, forever.
The centerpiece of it all is God’s “glorious grace.” That is the only possible explanation. It is certainly not human achievement – we are hopeless. It is surely the grace of God poured out on all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.
I think this truth is the watershed. It was good news for the Gentiles but, at first, bad news for the Jews who believed that there is a way to truly please God - by strictly obeying his immutable law. That is what they strove for – not some virtue that began in the heart of God – love that loves all people everywhere, always, but a virtue of their own, obedience!
The grand revelation is that it was the purpose of God – as long as God loves – to make a way for all people to have fellowship with God – to fulfill God’s plan – and the desires of all peoples – whose religious and philosophical systems were little more than powerful yearnings to know God. The Gospel declares with boldness, God adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Eph. 1:4b, 5
4b In love he predestinated us. “In love.” I find this theme of God's love appearing again and again. Everything of God is rooted in his love. Because he is love, he is who he is and he did what he did. And because he loves me - and that is even more astounding, he made plans to make it possible to have fellowship with Him - and did everything necessary to make that love do its wonderful work.
5 Adopted. An apt term indeed, because none of us are born actual sons and daughters of God - we are sons and daughters of our parents. In spiritual terms, we are adopted! If we are to get into fellowship with God, it must be at his initiation. He determines to adopt me, not me him. This puts the love of God at the very center of redemption.
His sons. Only Jesus is not adopted - all of us who are in Jesus are. There is absolutely nothing wrong in being adopted. We are lifted upward by adoption into this heavenly family - on earth and in heaven.
Adopted children are bound together by the love of the person who adopted them - in love. No one deserves to be in this family of adoptees. By grace are we among God's privileged adopted sons and daughters
This is precious imagery and full of divine truth. A weak human expression but eterrnally meaningful.
5 Adopted. An apt term indeed, because none of us are born actual sons and daughters of God - we are sons and daughters of our parents. In spiritual terms, we are adopted! If we are to get into fellowship with God, it must be at his initiation. He determines to adopt me, not me him. This puts the love of God at the very center of redemption.
His sons. Only Jesus is not adopted - all of us who are in Jesus are. There is absolutely nothing wrong in being adopted. We are lifted upward by adoption into this heavenly family - on earth and in heaven.
Adopted children are bound together by the love of the person who adopted them - in love. No one deserves to be in this family of adoptees. By grace are we among God's privileged adopted sons and daughters
This is precious imagery and full of divine truth. A weak human expression but eterrnally meaningful.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Eph. 1:4, 5
A Meditation on Ephesians 1:4 and 5
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
For he chose us. Both Jews and Gentiles. This is the mystery that Paul happily shared with everyone – Jesus’ atoning work opens the door to God for everyone who comes through Christ. The Covenant in Christ’s blood has no reference whatsoever to Israel or any other nation or culture.
Before the creation of the world. Some may think that God planned that only through the people called Israel would people truly know God. Then when Israel failed to be on an instrument of God’s purposes, he had to abandon that, his first plan and substitute another, less good. No, Paul asserts, the work of Jesus Christ to give himself so that all people everywhere could enjoy the fullness of life with God is not plan B, but was already accomplished in the heavenlies before the first star was hurled into space. Jesus was always the answer.
In Him. That means, “In Jesus.” It was set that Jesus is God’s sacrificial Lamb who, by the willful shedding of his blood, will break the power of sin and pronounce full forgiveness. This determination preceeded the calling of Abraham or the Law of Moses.
He chose us. Both Jews and Gentiles. We are all adopted. God has no "natural children" on the earth.
The purpose of God’s calling is not primarily to work for him or even to serve him but the calling of God, the choosing of God, is that we might be “holy and blameless” in his sight. Our calling is the call of a lover to come, walk closely with Him. It is a call of love, prompted by love, made possible by love and fulfilled in love. It is not perfection of the character – holiness is a love relationship that is so strong and firm that all of life revolves around that central, core relationship, God and me.
Of course, it is impossible to be holy and blameless by our own strength and determination. We need Jesus in whom to hide. He becomes our holiness, our blamelessness. Jesus was holy and blameless – now it is up to us to exhibit that same character, flawed though we may be.
In love he predestinated us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. Again, it all flows from God’s love, unfathomable yet as real and as essential as anything can possibly be.
It is difficult to describe the love of God because all we have are human, earth-bound words and concepts. We will need to wait until we are lifted into a realm where the “divine vocabulary” is used to describe the virtues of our wonderful God. In the meanwhile we use weak terms – like father/son to tell of the wonders of God’s love.
He predestinated us. It all begins in his loving heart. We can not choose. We can only accept or reject God. He alone does the choosing.
The more I think about this the more I am convinced that Paul is describing the nature of Jesus’ Kingdom – the door is completely open to anyone. We enter because of and through the atoning work of Jesus.
This choosing does not imply a flip side to the coin, on one side choosing and on the other side, rejecting. Jesus made it very clear that all who believe in Jesus are received – by grace. In a way, God chooses every person to believe in Jesus but not all do. I think I must abandon the thought that Jesus – God in his love – rejects people simply because he wills it to be so. That is contrary to all Scripture. The choosing, I am convinced, that Paul is referring to here, has to do with God leveling the ground by the antoning work of Jesus so that both Jews and Gentiles enter in precisely the same way, through the finished work of Jesus. There is no other way possible.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
For he chose us. Both Jews and Gentiles. This is the mystery that Paul happily shared with everyone – Jesus’ atoning work opens the door to God for everyone who comes through Christ. The Covenant in Christ’s blood has no reference whatsoever to Israel or any other nation or culture.
Before the creation of the world. Some may think that God planned that only through the people called Israel would people truly know God. Then when Israel failed to be on an instrument of God’s purposes, he had to abandon that, his first plan and substitute another, less good. No, Paul asserts, the work of Jesus Christ to give himself so that all people everywhere could enjoy the fullness of life with God is not plan B, but was already accomplished in the heavenlies before the first star was hurled into space. Jesus was always the answer.
In Him. That means, “In Jesus.” It was set that Jesus is God’s sacrificial Lamb who, by the willful shedding of his blood, will break the power of sin and pronounce full forgiveness. This determination preceeded the calling of Abraham or the Law of Moses.
He chose us. Both Jews and Gentiles. We are all adopted. God has no "natural children" on the earth.
The purpose of God’s calling is not primarily to work for him or even to serve him but the calling of God, the choosing of God, is that we might be “holy and blameless” in his sight. Our calling is the call of a lover to come, walk closely with Him. It is a call of love, prompted by love, made possible by love and fulfilled in love. It is not perfection of the character – holiness is a love relationship that is so strong and firm that all of life revolves around that central, core relationship, God and me.
Of course, it is impossible to be holy and blameless by our own strength and determination. We need Jesus in whom to hide. He becomes our holiness, our blamelessness. Jesus was holy and blameless – now it is up to us to exhibit that same character, flawed though we may be.
In love he predestinated us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ. Again, it all flows from God’s love, unfathomable yet as real and as essential as anything can possibly be.
It is difficult to describe the love of God because all we have are human, earth-bound words and concepts. We will need to wait until we are lifted into a realm where the “divine vocabulary” is used to describe the virtues of our wonderful God. In the meanwhile we use weak terms – like father/son to tell of the wonders of God’s love.
He predestinated us. It all begins in his loving heart. We can not choose. We can only accept or reject God. He alone does the choosing.
The more I think about this the more I am convinced that Paul is describing the nature of Jesus’ Kingdom – the door is completely open to anyone. We enter because of and through the atoning work of Jesus.
This choosing does not imply a flip side to the coin, on one side choosing and on the other side, rejecting. Jesus made it very clear that all who believe in Jesus are received – by grace. In a way, God chooses every person to believe in Jesus but not all do. I think I must abandon the thought that Jesus – God in his love – rejects people simply because he wills it to be so. That is contrary to all Scripture. The choosing, I am convinced, that Paul is referring to here, has to do with God leveling the ground by the antoning work of Jesus so that both Jews and Gentiles enter in precisely the same way, through the finished work of Jesus. There is no other way possible.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Eph. 1:1, 2
We are in the Season of Lent, when our minds are more focused than usual on the atoning work of Jesus Christ. I felt led to pore over Paul's letter to the Ephesians as a way to get even deeper into the mystery, now revealed, of the amazing way God in Christ made it possible for a person like me to enjoy the full benefits of the saving and keeping work of Jesus Christ.
Join me, if you wish, in pondering, word by word, phrase by phrase, the Word of God as revealed in Paul's writing.
Don Jacobs
***********************
Ephesians, Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Paul. Greek name used as he ministered among Greeks. When ministering among the Jews, he was Saul of Tarsus. Paul is illustrating the parameters of the Kingdom of God that enables him to embrace all cultures for Christ Jesus, so that he might extend the Kingdom on the earth.
Apostle. “One of the Apostles.” He was not unique in that he was an Apostle. Furthermore, even though he was not a disciple of Jesus as were many others, he met Jesus Christ and was instructed by him in things pertaining to salvation.
Of Jesus Christ. The center of Paul’s affection, dedication and hope. Jesus is the human name, common among Jews at the time, actually, Joshua, and Christ, the one from God – come to earth. Paul deliberately reminds us of the dual nature of Jesus, the Christ of God, the Jesus of man. He is indeed God in the flesh. So are we, sons of man and sons of God, by adoption.
By the will of God. Paul did not choose to follow Jesus. He was chosen by God, it was God’s will, not Paul’s, Paul simply said, “Yes, Lord.” Those to whom Paul is writing have that same calling – all servants of the same mighty Lord Jesus.
To the Saints in Ephesus. All who are born again from above are “Saints.”
To the Faithful in Christ Jesus. Some are faithful, others have abandoned their faith. This letter is to those who have not abandoned their faith in the promises of God.
The Ephesian believers are both in Ephesus and in Christ.
Paul, in these couplets, is laying out the context of his letter. How do followers of Jesus Christ announce the dramatic coming of the Kingdom of God right there were they are? And how do they invite people into it?
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you. To receive grace is to know peace because when grace does its good work, because of the atoning work of Jesus, peace simply follows. There is no other foundation for peace except to fully receive the completed work of God’s grace in our hearts.
The source of grace and truth are, of course, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As I unpack this I am impressed with Paul’s clear testimony. God is our Father, He is also Father of Jesus Christ. We are brothers with Christ, co-heirs in fact, of all the promises of God.
Lord – Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of lords. Paul can declare without doubt that God is the source of peace and grace.
Join me, if you wish, in pondering, word by word, phrase by phrase, the Word of God as revealed in Paul's writing.
Don Jacobs
***********************
Ephesians, Chapter 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Paul. Greek name used as he ministered among Greeks. When ministering among the Jews, he was Saul of Tarsus. Paul is illustrating the parameters of the Kingdom of God that enables him to embrace all cultures for Christ Jesus, so that he might extend the Kingdom on the earth.
Apostle. “One of the Apostles.” He was not unique in that he was an Apostle. Furthermore, even though he was not a disciple of Jesus as were many others, he met Jesus Christ and was instructed by him in things pertaining to salvation.
Of Jesus Christ. The center of Paul’s affection, dedication and hope. Jesus is the human name, common among Jews at the time, actually, Joshua, and Christ, the one from God – come to earth. Paul deliberately reminds us of the dual nature of Jesus, the Christ of God, the Jesus of man. He is indeed God in the flesh. So are we, sons of man and sons of God, by adoption.
By the will of God. Paul did not choose to follow Jesus. He was chosen by God, it was God’s will, not Paul’s, Paul simply said, “Yes, Lord.” Those to whom Paul is writing have that same calling – all servants of the same mighty Lord Jesus.
To the Saints in Ephesus. All who are born again from above are “Saints.”
To the Faithful in Christ Jesus. Some are faithful, others have abandoned their faith. This letter is to those who have not abandoned their faith in the promises of God.
The Ephesian believers are both in Ephesus and in Christ.
Paul, in these couplets, is laying out the context of his letter. How do followers of Jesus Christ announce the dramatic coming of the Kingdom of God right there were they are? And how do they invite people into it?
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you. To receive grace is to know peace because when grace does its good work, because of the atoning work of Jesus, peace simply follows. There is no other foundation for peace except to fully receive the completed work of God’s grace in our hearts.
The source of grace and truth are, of course, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As I unpack this I am impressed with Paul’s clear testimony. God is our Father, He is also Father of Jesus Christ. We are brothers with Christ, co-heirs in fact, of all the promises of God.
Lord – Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of lords. Paul can declare without doubt that God is the source of peace and grace.
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