9 Not by works, so that no one can boast.
“Saved by grace, not by our works.” It is not that our salvation was not worked for. Someone worked for it! Salvation is not made possible without cost. Whoever made it possible paid a gargantuan price. Who so worked? The Trinity did. All were completely involved. God had to be willing to send his only Son, Jesus, to be mocked, rejected and finally killed by the people whom he created. Jesus, as we have noted again and again in this passage, paid the ultimate price, obedience unto death. And the Holy Spirit was no less involved than Father and Son. The Holy Spirit was in the entire transaction or one might call it a battle. So Father, Son and Holy Spirit were prepared to do what had to be done, to pay what cost that had to be paid, to make it possible for a human being to have full access to God through the Atoning work on the part of mankind. Praise God, the work is done!
I would like to think that after Jesus accomplished the Atoning work, he then entered into his Sabbath rest – the work being absolutely completed. It is, in a way, an impertinence to try to add my one cent to the million dollars, so to speak, that it cost God to purchase my redemption. I receive salvation as a free gift – then I pay - my entire life is a living sacrifice, daily cross-bearing, daily self-giving. As it cost God everything to save me, I am in debt to his grace so deeply that I pay gladly in order to walk in obedience with him.
So that no one can boast
When I see the word “work,” I think of doing a good deed, thereby earning some merit. But I am sure the meaning goes much deeper than that. It is first and foremost an attitude based on a false assumption, that is, that I had a part in making it possible. I did not. All I can do is receive it when offered. Anything that I can boast of is a “work.” Boast is letting it be known, to me or to anyone else, that I have done or thought something noteworthy that enabled me to be redeemed. All boasting of the sort has “I” as the center, not God.
C. S. Lewis wrote, “Pride is a spiritual cancer, it eats up the very possibility of love or contentment or even common sense.”
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Eph. 2:8c
8c (Faith) is the gift of God.
It is a gift, indeed. All people have the potential to believe. That is universal. Faith as we know it is not to be found on this earth, except in people. I think the potential, the ability and the desire to have faith is uniquely human.
Intuitively, I know that I can believe in a power of some kind that can help me to live. This is not a weakness, in my estimation, but a phenomenal strength. It is what makes me a worshiping being – I am fashioned to be a worshiper of a power greater than I am.
Looking at it this way, I freely admit that I have within my psyche the potentiol if not the will to believe. But that does not make me a believer. I must choose whom I will worship. People have been choosing their deities from time immorial in all cultures. We human beings can choose among a bewildering variety of “gods,” depending on the culture. I know of no culture that does not create "gods" of some kind or other for people to believe in.
So the potential to believe is, as I understand it, the remnant of the image of God that marks every human soul. In that way we might affirm, correctly, that faith is a gift from God.
I believe, however, that this passage of Scripture goes beyond that. Paul writes that the faith he is talking about is “not of yourselves.” In other words, belief in Jesus is not something that I conjure up for myself, it is as Paul clearly declares, “It is the gift of God.” If that is true, and I know it is, then God encourages me to place my faith in Jesus Christ. This implies that I can not, on my own, become a true believer. So if I do believe in Jesus, that is a gift from God.
Paul clarifies this even further by writing that the work to believe is itself a gift of God. If faith in Christ is something that I figure out and work to get it, it is faith by works. That is the whole point here. We are saved by grace. And the most fundamental grace is the gift of faith that points me to Jesus.
It is a gift, indeed. All people have the potential to believe. That is universal. Faith as we know it is not to be found on this earth, except in people. I think the potential, the ability and the desire to have faith is uniquely human.
Intuitively, I know that I can believe in a power of some kind that can help me to live. This is not a weakness, in my estimation, but a phenomenal strength. It is what makes me a worshiping being – I am fashioned to be a worshiper of a power greater than I am.
Looking at it this way, I freely admit that I have within my psyche the potentiol if not the will to believe. But that does not make me a believer. I must choose whom I will worship. People have been choosing their deities from time immorial in all cultures. We human beings can choose among a bewildering variety of “gods,” depending on the culture. I know of no culture that does not create "gods" of some kind or other for people to believe in.
So the potential to believe is, as I understand it, the remnant of the image of God that marks every human soul. In that way we might affirm, correctly, that faith is a gift from God.
I believe, however, that this passage of Scripture goes beyond that. Paul writes that the faith he is talking about is “not of yourselves.” In other words, belief in Jesus is not something that I conjure up for myself, it is as Paul clearly declares, “It is the gift of God.” If that is true, and I know it is, then God encourages me to place my faith in Jesus Christ. This implies that I can not, on my own, become a true believer. So if I do believe in Jesus, that is a gift from God.
Paul clarifies this even further by writing that the work to believe is itself a gift of God. If faith in Christ is something that I figure out and work to get it, it is faith by works. That is the whole point here. We are saved by grace. And the most fundamental grace is the gift of faith that points me to Jesus.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Eph. 2:8b
8b (Saved) through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
To gain the benefits of God’s grace, I must believe that Jesus can flood that grace into my heart. In other words, I must believe who Jesus is, what he taught, what he accomplished for me in his death and resurrection, what he is doing for me right now as he intercedes before the Father for my welfare and for the welfare of all who love him.
The key is to believe - to believe things that are hard to believe like that I am a derelict sinner and that Jesus has the right and the power to make me an eternal son of God Almighty. That takes more faith that I can possibly conjure up. That is for sure.
How can I believe? Paul has the answer for that. I can not believe on my own but “Jesus in me,” gives me faith. It is his faith that enables me to believe. Jesus never doubted that his atoning work is sufficient to save all people, even me. I need that faith. I have that faith because He who resides in me is first of all and always, a BELIEVER.
I am invited to align my faith attitudes with the faith of Jesus Christ. Is there anything more marvelous than that? I am helpless when it comes to believing in the goodness of God but Jesus in me knows the goodness of God, completely. He is my ability to believe in all that God is able to do for me and for those for whom I am interceding.
To gain the benefits of God’s grace, I must believe that Jesus can flood that grace into my heart. In other words, I must believe who Jesus is, what he taught, what he accomplished for me in his death and resurrection, what he is doing for me right now as he intercedes before the Father for my welfare and for the welfare of all who love him.
The key is to believe - to believe things that are hard to believe like that I am a derelict sinner and that Jesus has the right and the power to make me an eternal son of God Almighty. That takes more faith that I can possibly conjure up. That is for sure.
How can I believe? Paul has the answer for that. I can not believe on my own but “Jesus in me,” gives me faith. It is his faith that enables me to believe. Jesus never doubted that his atoning work is sufficient to save all people, even me. I need that faith. I have that faith because He who resides in me is first of all and always, a BELIEVER.
I am invited to align my faith attitudes with the faith of Jesus Christ. Is there anything more marvelous than that? I am helpless when it comes to believing in the goodness of God but Jesus in me knows the goodness of God, completely. He is my ability to believe in all that God is able to do for me and for those for whom I am interceding.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Eph. 2:8a
8a For it is by grace you have been saved.
It is no wonder that Paul insists on telling us, again and again, that we are saved by grace. Here he states it once again. For him, that is the bedrock of all his understanding of God’s salvation and it describes the way Paul, the evangelist and apostle, reaches out to others – it represents, or in fact is, his all embracing approach to life. God knows we have nothing to contribute to our salvation. In fact if we think that we can help to gain salvation by good works or good breeding or good culture, we are heading for frustration. Our salvation in Christ is either free or it is not obtainable.
If there is a recurring phrase in all of Paul’s writings, this it, “Saved by grace.” This is the truth for all people, everywhere, who seek to know God’s love.
It is also the basis of all genuine life-changing fellowship – each person enters the Kingdom stripped of all privilege, just sinners with real sin who will perish unless Jesus saves them. If I can remember this fact I can have fellowship in some depth with all other sinners who have come to have peace with God through the merits of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
It is no wonder that Paul insists on telling us, again and again, that we are saved by grace. Here he states it once again. For him, that is the bedrock of all his understanding of God’s salvation and it describes the way Paul, the evangelist and apostle, reaches out to others – it represents, or in fact is, his all embracing approach to life. God knows we have nothing to contribute to our salvation. In fact if we think that we can help to gain salvation by good works or good breeding or good culture, we are heading for frustration. Our salvation in Christ is either free or it is not obtainable.
If there is a recurring phrase in all of Paul’s writings, this it, “Saved by grace.” This is the truth for all people, everywhere, who seek to know God’s love.
It is also the basis of all genuine life-changing fellowship – each person enters the Kingdom stripped of all privilege, just sinners with real sin who will perish unless Jesus saves them. If I can remember this fact I can have fellowship in some depth with all other sinners who have come to have peace with God through the merits of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Eph. 2:7b
7b Incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
God’s riches are “expressed.” That is, God lavished his riches on me. He had to express himself, it is his nature to do so. He did so “on me.” God’s love always finds expression. He can not love and remain inactive.
He can do this freely because of what Jesus has done in that complete work – the Atonement.
I ask myself a searching question, “Do I reach out to others in the same way that Jesus reaches out to me?” I hesitate to answer that. God reaches out to me because he knows that Jesus has already done the good work that assures God’s blessing if I deliberately reach out in the name of Jesus Christ and bless others.
Expresses in his kindness. The kindness of God to us highlights the accomplished work of Jesus. Jesus is kind to me and that gives me the courage to be kind because it is Jesus in me that enables me to be kind. Jesus is always kind. It is a common virtue of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All are kind, each is kind.
As I focus on this word, “kindness,” I think one could substitute the word “love.” Probably not because kindness is in a sense limited while love embraces life in its entirety. Love is many faceted, one facet of which is kindness. I wish to be kind as Jesus is kind.
The greatest kindness ever expressed to mankind is Jesus Christ, who opens the door to the “incomparable riches, of God’s grace.
God’s riches are “expressed.” That is, God lavished his riches on me. He had to express himself, it is his nature to do so. He did so “on me.” God’s love always finds expression. He can not love and remain inactive.
He can do this freely because of what Jesus has done in that complete work – the Atonement.
I ask myself a searching question, “Do I reach out to others in the same way that Jesus reaches out to me?” I hesitate to answer that. God reaches out to me because he knows that Jesus has already done the good work that assures God’s blessing if I deliberately reach out in the name of Jesus Christ and bless others.
Expresses in his kindness. The kindness of God to us highlights the accomplished work of Jesus. Jesus is kind to me and that gives me the courage to be kind because it is Jesus in me that enables me to be kind. Jesus is always kind. It is a common virtue of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All are kind, each is kind.
As I focus on this word, “kindness,” I think one could substitute the word “love.” Probably not because kindness is in a sense limited while love embraces life in its entirety. Love is many faceted, one facet of which is kindness. I wish to be kind as Jesus is kind.
The greatest kindness ever expressed to mankind is Jesus Christ, who opens the door to the “incomparable riches, of God’s grace.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Eph. 2:7a
7a In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace.
God has raised me up in Jesus Christ, by the exertion of his awesome power, not to set a standard for me that I can not attain, but in order to show me the full extent of his powerful grace. He does not let it up to me to be holy. He is, in me, my holiness. As I cling to that truth I desire in my inner being to serve him with all my heart.
In the coming ages. I like to think that Paul is speaking of the “coming ages” as from this very moment until eternity. The plenteous grace of God meets the needs of the moment and will do so forever, no matter what the circumstances, whether on the earth or in the heavenlies, or both!
That he might show. What a releasing truth! The way my mind works I sometimes feel that God has saved me, now it is my responsibility to show that I can perfect my ways. Never! The whole glory of the Good News is that it is God who shows me everything, including the truth about my blundering self and the truth of his willingness to flood my dry heart with life-giving water.
The incomparable riches of his grace. In other words, grace that is so rich that it can not be compared to any other “wealth” on earth or in heaven. Every saint, every redeemed sinner, stands in awe as he or she recognizes the marvels of God’s grace, always a surprise, always fitting, always renewing. That sets the heart to singing!
God has raised me up in Jesus Christ, by the exertion of his awesome power, not to set a standard for me that I can not attain, but in order to show me the full extent of his powerful grace. He does not let it up to me to be holy. He is, in me, my holiness. As I cling to that truth I desire in my inner being to serve him with all my heart.
In the coming ages. I like to think that Paul is speaking of the “coming ages” as from this very moment until eternity. The plenteous grace of God meets the needs of the moment and will do so forever, no matter what the circumstances, whether on the earth or in the heavenlies, or both!
That he might show. What a releasing truth! The way my mind works I sometimes feel that God has saved me, now it is my responsibility to show that I can perfect my ways. Never! The whole glory of the Good News is that it is God who shows me everything, including the truth about my blundering self and the truth of his willingness to flood my dry heart with life-giving water.
The incomparable riches of his grace. In other words, grace that is so rich that it can not be compared to any other “wealth” on earth or in heaven. Every saint, every redeemed sinner, stands in awe as he or she recognizes the marvels of God’s grace, always a surprise, always fitting, always renewing. That sets the heart to singing!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Eph. 2:6
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
That is the first thing to embrace. God raised Jesus from the dead. If I can not fully accept this fact, all else is in vain. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not just one of the foundation stones of my faith, but it is almost like it is the entire foundation. All faith rests on that unexpected and surprising life-giving work of God. This was, is and always will be the central fact upon which our faith is established.
God raised Jesus who was dead! I begin by believing that. But what does that have to do with my life in Christ? Paul could not be clearer on this point. He writes. God raised us up with Christ. Can it be? God raised me up from the dead as he raised Christ from the dead. Or we might say, when God raised Christ from the dead I was there, raised up with him!
This is the second point in this passage that Paul wants us to know: if I am in Christ, by faith, that same life-giving power raises me from my death. I was dead. In a sense, my brain stopped, my heart ceased its pumping. I was dead and so could not even wish to be alive. But the resurrecting power of God raised me from the dead like Jesus. I am trying to plumb the depths of that revealed reality. To fully grasp that is a life-altering verity.
I may not be able to figure it all out but I am convinced that all understanding of grace starts with the realization that I am dead in my sinful nature. Even though I am alive physically, I am dead spiritually. A dead person can do nothing but remain dead! Am I convinced of this? Or is there, in me, the lurking hope that I can somehow breathe resurrection power into my life by being good or doing good? How can a corpse hope at all, let alone do something? I am dead in trespasses and sin. Grace is for the hopeless ones, the dead ones.
I recall that William Carey, sometimes called the father of modern missions, insisted that it be written on his tombstone:
William Carey
born 17th Aug. 1761, died 9th June 1834
"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm on thy kind arms I fall."
Carey’s epitaph reveals his complete dependence upon the mighty grace of God.
That is the first thing to embrace. God raised Jesus from the dead. If I can not fully accept this fact, all else is in vain. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is not just one of the foundation stones of my faith, but it is almost like it is the entire foundation. All faith rests on that unexpected and surprising life-giving work of God. This was, is and always will be the central fact upon which our faith is established.
God raised Jesus who was dead! I begin by believing that. But what does that have to do with my life in Christ? Paul could not be clearer on this point. He writes. God raised us up with Christ. Can it be? God raised me up from the dead as he raised Christ from the dead. Or we might say, when God raised Christ from the dead I was there, raised up with him!
This is the second point in this passage that Paul wants us to know: if I am in Christ, by faith, that same life-giving power raises me from my death. I was dead. In a sense, my brain stopped, my heart ceased its pumping. I was dead and so could not even wish to be alive. But the resurrecting power of God raised me from the dead like Jesus. I am trying to plumb the depths of that revealed reality. To fully grasp that is a life-altering verity.
I may not be able to figure it all out but I am convinced that all understanding of grace starts with the realization that I am dead in my sinful nature. Even though I am alive physically, I am dead spiritually. A dead person can do nothing but remain dead! Am I convinced of this? Or is there, in me, the lurking hope that I can somehow breathe resurrection power into my life by being good or doing good? How can a corpse hope at all, let alone do something? I am dead in trespasses and sin. Grace is for the hopeless ones, the dead ones.
I recall that William Carey, sometimes called the father of modern missions, insisted that it be written on his tombstone:
William Carey
born 17th Aug. 1761, died 9th June 1834
"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm on thy kind arms I fall."
Carey’s epitaph reveals his complete dependence upon the mighty grace of God.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Eph. 2:5b
2:5b It is by grace you have been saved.
When Paul wants to put into a few words what God had done for us he repreats the phrase, “Saved by God’s grace.” If that statement is true, and I believe with all my heart that it is, then I can view life from an entirely new and helpful point of view in which the grace of God is a living reality, inviting me and all mankind to accept the free gift of God, not because it was free to God for it cost him the death of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, but it is free to me and to all believers. We need only accept what is already prepared for us, by God’s grace. We receive it, not by our effort or any other human merit, we receive it as a dead person receives life, from the outside, not from the inside which is dead!
If it is true that we are saved by God’s grace alone, then salvation is available for all who believe because it is free to all.
Included in the meaning of God’s grace is that all of our efforts to win salvation are futile. All the good works that were ever done, compounded to the highest integer, could not atone for even one wee sin. I am saved by grace. I live by grace, and my inheritance in Christ is mine because of the gift of God’s astoundingly rich grace. Who can even begin to understand this? None of us but that does not keep us from beholding a truth that sheds light on everything on earth and in heaven.
Paul, at this point, dwells on the marvels and realities of God’s grace.
When Paul wants to put into a few words what God had done for us he repreats the phrase, “Saved by God’s grace.” If that statement is true, and I believe with all my heart that it is, then I can view life from an entirely new and helpful point of view in which the grace of God is a living reality, inviting me and all mankind to accept the free gift of God, not because it was free to God for it cost him the death of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, but it is free to me and to all believers. We need only accept what is already prepared for us, by God’s grace. We receive it, not by our effort or any other human merit, we receive it as a dead person receives life, from the outside, not from the inside which is dead!
If it is true that we are saved by God’s grace alone, then salvation is available for all who believe because it is free to all.
Included in the meaning of God’s grace is that all of our efforts to win salvation are futile. All the good works that were ever done, compounded to the highest integer, could not atone for even one wee sin. I am saved by grace. I live by grace, and my inheritance in Christ is mine because of the gift of God’s astoundingly rich grace. Who can even begin to understand this? None of us but that does not keep us from beholding a truth that sheds light on everything on earth and in heaven.
Paul, at this point, dwells on the marvels and realities of God’s grace.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Eph. 2:5a
5 (God) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.
I am writing this in the season of Lent when I have the opportunity to ponder, again, the mystery and the reality of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Here are my thoughts as I allow this text (v. 5) to enter my heart.
Having taken our sin upon himself, Jesus died to that sin. My sin was judged, therefore in Him. That done, Jesus rose from the dead, free and glorious. He had accomplished what he was determined must be done. This was in the heart of God before the foundation of the world - that is to slay sin, do away with its tyranny, let it be judged.
All that happened “in time” but its effects were beyond time. His sacrificial death and resurrection was the singular, most important event that every happened, certainly much more significant and much more difficult than the creation of the universe.
Paul invites me to focus, once again, on the Cross. To comprehend what happened there, I begin with the fact that I was dead, dead in transgressions. I was so dead that I could not possibly do anything! That picture is full of despair and hopelessness. Unless I begin with that tragic fact I can not possibly comprehend what happened. However, if I admit it, then I begin to see how truly amazing is the death and resurrection and ascension of Christ. Seeing my condition, Jesus died for me, canceling out my debt of sin and raised me to newness of life.
Paul, upon this background, describes perfectly what happened to me at my conversion. I carried my sin in my own body. By faith, I transferred my sin over to Jesus who pled with me to do so, and then my sin, in him, was judged and dealt with. Now I am raised from the dead - identified with Jesus in his resurrection. That is why Paul can say, (God) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. Dead in transgression to being alive in Christ, what a huge transition. That is the marvelous effect of the new birth and the daily walk with Jesus, day after day, moment after moment, forever. This is Easter indeed.
I am writing this in the season of Lent when I have the opportunity to ponder, again, the mystery and the reality of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Here are my thoughts as I allow this text (v. 5) to enter my heart.
Having taken our sin upon himself, Jesus died to that sin. My sin was judged, therefore in Him. That done, Jesus rose from the dead, free and glorious. He had accomplished what he was determined must be done. This was in the heart of God before the foundation of the world - that is to slay sin, do away with its tyranny, let it be judged.
All that happened “in time” but its effects were beyond time. His sacrificial death and resurrection was the singular, most important event that every happened, certainly much more significant and much more difficult than the creation of the universe.
Paul invites me to focus, once again, on the Cross. To comprehend what happened there, I begin with the fact that I was dead, dead in transgressions. I was so dead that I could not possibly do anything! That picture is full of despair and hopelessness. Unless I begin with that tragic fact I can not possibly comprehend what happened. However, if I admit it, then I begin to see how truly amazing is the death and resurrection and ascension of Christ. Seeing my condition, Jesus died for me, canceling out my debt of sin and raised me to newness of life.
Paul, upon this background, describes perfectly what happened to me at my conversion. I carried my sin in my own body. By faith, I transferred my sin over to Jesus who pled with me to do so, and then my sin, in him, was judged and dealt with. Now I am raised from the dead - identified with Jesus in his resurrection. That is why Paul can say, (God) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. Dead in transgression to being alive in Christ, what a huge transition. That is the marvelous effect of the new birth and the daily walk with Jesus, day after day, moment after moment, forever. This is Easter indeed.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Eph. 2:4
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy. Let us ponder this line for a while, Because of his great love for us. What does that mean? I think it means that God is motivated by his central attribute – love. Paul, here, asks, “Why did God act to save us?” Paul peels away layer after layer until he arrives at the very heart of God and finds there the motive that caused God to act, he did what he did and he does what he does “Because of his great love for us.” That is it! We are objects of God’s love.
It is not just generic love or amorphous love, but specific love. Paul uses the expression, “love for us.” Love is only operative when it has an object. I am the object of God’s love.
All of us sinners are included, no matter our social status. God acted on the basis of love – that is divine love that gives expression, so to speak, to God's many virtues. The only possible answer to the question of what motivated God to save me is very simple, God loves me and his love acted to save me.
“But.” Our text opens with the word “But.” The text states, in essence, we sinners are doomed. Who can stand against God’s anger? No one. We are all the objects of God’s wrath. Does that mean that we are all doomed? That is absolutely correct – unless God’s wrath is dissuaded or withdrawn. That is exactly what happened. God’s wrath was poured out and spent, so to speak, as Jesus took upon himself my sin and the sin or sinfulness of all mankind. As we believe that we are transformed and accept God's grace of forgiveness, a further expression of his love. That is the only way we can live in peace with God.
That is why Paul can begin the sentence with the word, “But.” Were it not for that “But”- that God is “rich in mercy” - all is dark and hopeless. Paul exclaims, God is “rich in mercy.” In his mercy, prompted by his love, he made a way for us to have perfected fellowship with himself.
God hates sin because it separates himself from people. He is furious because he created people to have an intimate relationship with himself – a purpose thwarted by Satan who encourages people to reject God. It is little wonder that God detests sin and disobedience to his divine will, because it defeats the purpose of creation.
So, how is God going to deal with sin without destroying the sinner who is guilty of sin? Paul points to God’s love and the glorious truth that God is rich in mercy. All mankind, it seems, agrees that God is full of wrath. Few agree the he is full of mercy. In that truth lies the nub of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, the sinless one, took upon himself the sins of all mankind, past present and future, and carried them in his own body on the Cross where the wrath of God was expended on those sins. The result is that, as we hide ourselves in Jesus, our sins are purged and we stand liberated and full of joy before God himself, covered, not with our own righteous ness, but with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Can we ever really understand the mystery of it all? Never. But that does not preclude us from reveling in the reality of it all, either. And rejoicing with joy unspeakable.
It is not just generic love or amorphous love, but specific love. Paul uses the expression, “love for us.” Love is only operative when it has an object. I am the object of God’s love.
All of us sinners are included, no matter our social status. God acted on the basis of love – that is divine love that gives expression, so to speak, to God's many virtues. The only possible answer to the question of what motivated God to save me is very simple, God loves me and his love acted to save me.
“But.” Our text opens with the word “But.” The text states, in essence, we sinners are doomed. Who can stand against God’s anger? No one. We are all the objects of God’s wrath. Does that mean that we are all doomed? That is absolutely correct – unless God’s wrath is dissuaded or withdrawn. That is exactly what happened. God’s wrath was poured out and spent, so to speak, as Jesus took upon himself my sin and the sin or sinfulness of all mankind. As we believe that we are transformed and accept God's grace of forgiveness, a further expression of his love. That is the only way we can live in peace with God.
That is why Paul can begin the sentence with the word, “But.” Were it not for that “But”- that God is “rich in mercy” - all is dark and hopeless. Paul exclaims, God is “rich in mercy.” In his mercy, prompted by his love, he made a way for us to have perfected fellowship with himself.
God hates sin because it separates himself from people. He is furious because he created people to have an intimate relationship with himself – a purpose thwarted by Satan who encourages people to reject God. It is little wonder that God detests sin and disobedience to his divine will, because it defeats the purpose of creation.
So, how is God going to deal with sin without destroying the sinner who is guilty of sin? Paul points to God’s love and the glorious truth that God is rich in mercy. All mankind, it seems, agrees that God is full of wrath. Few agree the he is full of mercy. In that truth lies the nub of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, the sinless one, took upon himself the sins of all mankind, past present and future, and carried them in his own body on the Cross where the wrath of God was expended on those sins. The result is that, as we hide ourselves in Jesus, our sins are purged and we stand liberated and full of joy before God himself, covered, not with our own righteous ness, but with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Can we ever really understand the mystery of it all? Never. But that does not preclude us from reveling in the reality of it all, either. And rejoicing with joy unspeakable.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Eph 2: 3b
2:3 b Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
No matter how moral or how “good,” every human being is by nature, like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. God hates what is bad for me!
We were the object of God’s penetrating scrutiny, if I may rephrase the word “wrath,” at this point. This sounds strange to modern ears, including mine. We live in an age when “good” means helpful, kind, altruistic, and so forth. Every human being knows he or she should live like that.
So it is commonly understood that we should pursue our own happiness and prosperity first, and then share what we have, including our time and substance, to do good. We could rightfully ask. “Does this not please God? Is this not the purpose of life?” The answer is, God is pleased when we do good, certainly, but God does not judge us on the basis of how much or how little we do along the line of good works. Good works please him greatly, but it seems, as we read this text, that God pays little attention to human good works when it comes to what truly pleases God.
What God actually sees is “why” we do good, or do bad, for that matter. Do we do good to please our natural desire to be doing good or because doing good is the unconscious overflowing of our life in God and his life in me?
Paul insists that, in eternal terms, it makes little difference how much “good” we do. God always penetrates to the heart of the issue, “Why be good?”
Further, whose wrath is Paul referring to? God’s wrath, of course. A person who does good is usually applauded by society. That is why it is so shocking to know that if we do good for natural, selfish reasons, the good deeds elicit God’s wrath. God's wrath rests on reasons that self spins.
Wesley sings his lament; #362
“Withhold whate’er my flesh requires,
Poison my pleasant food;
Spoil my delights, my vain desires
My all of creature good.”
Wesley was keenly aware of the need, before God, to have the right motivation in doing good.
No matter how moral or how “good,” every human being is by nature, like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. God hates what is bad for me!
We were the object of God’s penetrating scrutiny, if I may rephrase the word “wrath,” at this point. This sounds strange to modern ears, including mine. We live in an age when “good” means helpful, kind, altruistic, and so forth. Every human being knows he or she should live like that.
So it is commonly understood that we should pursue our own happiness and prosperity first, and then share what we have, including our time and substance, to do good. We could rightfully ask. “Does this not please God? Is this not the purpose of life?” The answer is, God is pleased when we do good, certainly, but God does not judge us on the basis of how much or how little we do along the line of good works. Good works please him greatly, but it seems, as we read this text, that God pays little attention to human good works when it comes to what truly pleases God.
What God actually sees is “why” we do good, or do bad, for that matter. Do we do good to please our natural desire to be doing good or because doing good is the unconscious overflowing of our life in God and his life in me?
Paul insists that, in eternal terms, it makes little difference how much “good” we do. God always penetrates to the heart of the issue, “Why be good?”
Further, whose wrath is Paul referring to? God’s wrath, of course. A person who does good is usually applauded by society. That is why it is so shocking to know that if we do good for natural, selfish reasons, the good deeds elicit God’s wrath. God's wrath rests on reasons that self spins.
Wesley sings his lament; #362
“Withhold whate’er my flesh requires,
Poison my pleasant food;
Spoil my delights, my vain desires
My all of creature good.”
Wesley was keenly aware of the need, before God, to have the right motivation in doing good.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Eph. 2:3
2: 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.
All of us were dead! Did Paul really mean that? All of us? Even himself? He was raised as a law-abiding Pharisee in the home of greatest strictness. He clearly stated that he grew up, in his Jewish religious home “according to the Law, blameless.” This does not sound like “dead in sins and transgressions.” In fact, as a young Pharisee himself, he gained high praise for his prestigious “holiness.”
All of what Paul is writing in this passage is to be seen against the background of Jewish concepts of righteousness - righteousness which comes by complete and unquestioned obedience to every word of the law. That sounds exemplary to me and I could wish that everyone on earth would live like that.
No Jew could find any disobedience in Paul. As far as they were concerned, Paul represented the highest level of obedience to the law that Jews attained, that is the law as interpreted by the Pharisees. None surpassed him in law-righteousness.
That very Paul, the person who meticulously obeyed the law from birth, as exemplary as he was, writes, “All of us were dead in trespasses and sin.” He went so far, in his writings, to proclaim that he is the greatest sinner, ever! That is a stretch for me.
Was Paul simply making a point, using hyperbole to drive a point home? Is he honest and sincere in what he believes? The answer to that is; he saw that his strict observance to the law was little more than great self-effort, centered, not in relating to God, but in proving that God’s law is perfect and should be obeyed.
He goes on to say that his strict observance of all aspects of the law was simply “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature.” Alas, depending on self-effort to please God is sin!
I like Wesley’s lines. # 362
“Now, Jesus, let thy powerful death
Into my being come.
Slay the Old Adam with thy breath,
The man of sin consume.”
The Kingdom of God is bound together by the Blood - the complete atoning work - of Jesus Christ. All of us, no exceptions, are incorrigible sinners, hopeless but for the Blood of Christ.
All of us were dead! Did Paul really mean that? All of us? Even himself? He was raised as a law-abiding Pharisee in the home of greatest strictness. He clearly stated that he grew up, in his Jewish religious home “according to the Law, blameless.” This does not sound like “dead in sins and transgressions.” In fact, as a young Pharisee himself, he gained high praise for his prestigious “holiness.”
All of what Paul is writing in this passage is to be seen against the background of Jewish concepts of righteousness - righteousness which comes by complete and unquestioned obedience to every word of the law. That sounds exemplary to me and I could wish that everyone on earth would live like that.
No Jew could find any disobedience in Paul. As far as they were concerned, Paul represented the highest level of obedience to the law that Jews attained, that is the law as interpreted by the Pharisees. None surpassed him in law-righteousness.
That very Paul, the person who meticulously obeyed the law from birth, as exemplary as he was, writes, “All of us were dead in trespasses and sin.” He went so far, in his writings, to proclaim that he is the greatest sinner, ever! That is a stretch for me.
Was Paul simply making a point, using hyperbole to drive a point home? Is he honest and sincere in what he believes? The answer to that is; he saw that his strict observance to the law was little more than great self-effort, centered, not in relating to God, but in proving that God’s law is perfect and should be obeyed.
He goes on to say that his strict observance of all aspects of the law was simply “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature.” Alas, depending on self-effort to please God is sin!
I like Wesley’s lines. # 362
“Now, Jesus, let thy powerful death
Into my being come.
Slay the Old Adam with thy breath,
The man of sin consume.”
The Kingdom of God is bound together by the Blood - the complete atoning work - of Jesus Christ. All of us, no exceptions, are incorrigible sinners, hopeless but for the Blood of Christ.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Eph. 2:1 b
2: 1 b You were dead.
Can we honestly say that people who are trying desperately to do good, helping out where they are able, living exemplary lives – can we list them as dead in trespasses and sin? The answer to that is to be found, not in making that judgment, but by considering the cost that God, the Trinity, paid for our redemption. If people can be spiritually good as God is good, without loving God, then why all that cosmic struggle that brought Jesus to life from the dead and raised him above all names?
As I read this passage I am made aware of the fact that the purpose of mankind is not to improve one’s self, but to walk humbly with God.
Conversion precedes ethics. The changed heart will long to please God. This is the proper place of ethics in the Kingdom of God. It is a sign, not an end. The end is to be one with God through Christ, enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Paul explains what sin is, it is pushing God aside and then trying to be good or bad by employing the ways of “this world,” to live a happy and prosperous lives by self-effort. The ways of “this world” are the ways of Satan.
Paul observes that the one who dominates “this world” discourages obedience to God. The sin is disobedience to God. Our Maker. That is the mother of all sins.
Can we honestly say that people who are trying desperately to do good, helping out where they are able, living exemplary lives – can we list them as dead in trespasses and sin? The answer to that is to be found, not in making that judgment, but by considering the cost that God, the Trinity, paid for our redemption. If people can be spiritually good as God is good, without loving God, then why all that cosmic struggle that brought Jesus to life from the dead and raised him above all names?
As I read this passage I am made aware of the fact that the purpose of mankind is not to improve one’s self, but to walk humbly with God.
Conversion precedes ethics. The changed heart will long to please God. This is the proper place of ethics in the Kingdom of God. It is a sign, not an end. The end is to be one with God through Christ, enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Paul explains what sin is, it is pushing God aside and then trying to be good or bad by employing the ways of “this world,” to live a happy and prosperous lives by self-effort. The ways of “this world” are the ways of Satan.
Paul observes that the one who dominates “this world” discourages obedience to God. The sin is disobedience to God. Our Maker. That is the mother of all sins.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Eph. 2:1
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.
As for you. The soaring promises of God and the glory of life in Christ make for breath-taking reading. I read on and meditate on every word, almost every syllable, because I do not want to miss a thing. By reading and praying I begin to fathom the reality of the new life in Jesus Christ that is not only a possibility but a daily reality in my own life.
Having said that, no matter how sublime the redemption story, it remains only compelling and brilliant literature unless it is a present, living, compelling reality for ME! “As for you.” I recall that Jesus, on a high Syrian mountain, asked his disciples, “But whom do you say I am?” He put the emphasis on the YOU!
Can the work of God’s redemption and the enormous promises of God become a living reality in Ephesus where people of many cultures are experiencing the Kingdom of God, right there in that great cosmopolitan city? Absolutely. Because the gift of life is for US, for each ME. All are encouraged to believe and obey the revelation of the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ.
You were dead
Each person was dead, absolutely unable to do anything at all about the human tragedy, whether Jew or Gentile. Paul calls it, “Dead in transgressions and sins.” This picture is shocking to human pride. Is each person is a living corpse? A corpse has no power to believe or live at all. Neither I nor anyone else can break the death grip of sin which is rebellion against God because I am powerless, absolutely powerless, DEAD according to Paul.
Sometimes I wonder, is it really all that hopeless? Can not people, by philosophy and religion or just by pure determination break out of the grave of death? Can a corpse will to life when it is dead, absolutely dead? Hardly. However, it seems as though human history is one long tale of that attempt.
Wesley penned a poem about this, # 360.
Faith is thy power thou seest I have,
For thou this faith hath wrought.
Dead souls thou callest from the grave,
And speakest world from naught.
As for you. The soaring promises of God and the glory of life in Christ make for breath-taking reading. I read on and meditate on every word, almost every syllable, because I do not want to miss a thing. By reading and praying I begin to fathom the reality of the new life in Jesus Christ that is not only a possibility but a daily reality in my own life.
Having said that, no matter how sublime the redemption story, it remains only compelling and brilliant literature unless it is a present, living, compelling reality for ME! “As for you.” I recall that Jesus, on a high Syrian mountain, asked his disciples, “But whom do you say I am?” He put the emphasis on the YOU!
Can the work of God’s redemption and the enormous promises of God become a living reality in Ephesus where people of many cultures are experiencing the Kingdom of God, right there in that great cosmopolitan city? Absolutely. Because the gift of life is for US, for each ME. All are encouraged to believe and obey the revelation of the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ.
You were dead
Each person was dead, absolutely unable to do anything at all about the human tragedy, whether Jew or Gentile. Paul calls it, “Dead in transgressions and sins.” This picture is shocking to human pride. Is each person is a living corpse? A corpse has no power to believe or live at all. Neither I nor anyone else can break the death grip of sin which is rebellion against God because I am powerless, absolutely powerless, DEAD according to Paul.
Sometimes I wonder, is it really all that hopeless? Can not people, by philosophy and religion or just by pure determination break out of the grave of death? Can a corpse will to life when it is dead, absolutely dead? Hardly. However, it seems as though human history is one long tale of that attempt.
Wesley penned a poem about this, # 360.
Faith is thy power thou seest I have,
For thou this faith hath wrought.
Dead souls thou callest from the grave,
And speakest world from naught.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Eph. 1:22, 23
Please note, the most recent one is on the top. They then appear in reverse order.
22, 23 God appointed him to be head over everything for the church, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
The assumption is that without Christ we are empty, meaningless, vapid and unfruitful. Salvation is God’s way of correcting that - his way of making us whole.
When we acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord, the fullness of Jesus, the fullness of the Godhead, flows into the vacuum of our emptiness and, to our delight, we find that we are full, satisfied, with purpose and zeal. That is a genuine work of grace. He fills each individual with his fullness.
In addition to that God, purposed that the body of Christ, the redeemed ones, would, in their communal life together, receive the fullness of the Godhead and utilize all the fullness, all of the gifts and graces so freely given, to strengthen and extend the Kingdom of God on the earth today. One person can not possibly exhibit all the fullness of the great variety of gifting – but as each person does her part and his part, the fullness does its marvelous work of making Jesus Christ known in the world.
A few reflections on Chapter 1
* Is there a more sublime passage in all of Scriptures? If I am ever tempted to undervalue the position I have in Christ Jesus, on earth and in heaven, I need only open, then unpack, ever so carefully, the glorious realities of God’s love and grace by absorbing, once again in an ever deepening way, the glorious truth of what God has already done for my soul.
* Jesus, the fullness of God, fills me with that astounding fullness.
* I find it hard to believe that Paul wrote this while in prison! If his faith rises to such heights in prison – imagine living freely in the light of all that glorious provision in Christ Jesus without chains. I need to know what Paul knew. He relied completely on God. God filled him with all his fullness, every moment of every day. That is the way to live!
22, 23 God appointed him to be head over everything for the church, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
The assumption is that without Christ we are empty, meaningless, vapid and unfruitful. Salvation is God’s way of correcting that - his way of making us whole.
When we acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord, the fullness of Jesus, the fullness of the Godhead, flows into the vacuum of our emptiness and, to our delight, we find that we are full, satisfied, with purpose and zeal. That is a genuine work of grace. He fills each individual with his fullness.
In addition to that God, purposed that the body of Christ, the redeemed ones, would, in their communal life together, receive the fullness of the Godhead and utilize all the fullness, all of the gifts and graces so freely given, to strengthen and extend the Kingdom of God on the earth today. One person can not possibly exhibit all the fullness of the great variety of gifting – but as each person does her part and his part, the fullness does its marvelous work of making Jesus Christ known in the world.
A few reflections on Chapter 1
* Is there a more sublime passage in all of Scriptures? If I am ever tempted to undervalue the position I have in Christ Jesus, on earth and in heaven, I need only open, then unpack, ever so carefully, the glorious realities of God’s love and grace by absorbing, once again in an ever deepening way, the glorious truth of what God has already done for my soul.
* Jesus, the fullness of God, fills me with that astounding fullness.
* I find it hard to believe that Paul wrote this while in prison! If his faith rises to such heights in prison – imagine living freely in the light of all that glorious provision in Christ Jesus without chains. I need to know what Paul knew. He relied completely on God. God filled him with all his fullness, every moment of every day. That is the way to live!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Eph. 1:21
Please note, the most recent one is on the top. They then appear in reverse order.
21 Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
In spiritual terms, power, or the amount of power, so to speak, is determined by a person’s place in the order of powers. Since Jesus is above all, his power surpasses all. Paul asserts, Jesus is above all titles, not only in the present age, but in the ages to come.
To emphasize and enlarge on this point, Paul said:
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body.
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, as he told his disciples when he sent them into all the world to spread the Good News. No power can possibly “overpower” him, ever. His reign is eternal.
The question arises, “Why does Jesus not use his power to destroy Satan now!” The answer to that persistent question is to be found in God’s love for and plan for his Church, the body of Christ on the earth, us! The church is the apple of God’s eye.
That church will be his eternal bride. That church is the context in which God will exhibit all his virtues and benefits. That church is the instrument Jesus uses to spread the Good News to all peoples in all places. If I can comprehend God’s love for the church I can begin to understand what is happening.
In my missionary career, when I saw how the church was being persecuted and hemmed in I was tempted to ask God why he does not simply show his strong arm and destroy the power of Satan right there and then. In my more sober moments I ask a deeper question, “Who am I to think that I know what is best for Jesus’ body on the earth. Should I not let that up to him? He cares for his body a thousand times more that I.” My thoughts are earthly thoughts. Jesus’ plan for his body is eternal.
We read in Hebrews 2: 7 – 9: You…crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet. In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus.
We stand before a deep mystery here. How Jesus wields his phenomenal power is not for us to fully understand, but we have the assurance that he is focused, entirely, on the welfare of his body, the church, those who believe. That is where he pours out his fulness.
21 Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
In spiritual terms, power, or the amount of power, so to speak, is determined by a person’s place in the order of powers. Since Jesus is above all, his power surpasses all. Paul asserts, Jesus is above all titles, not only in the present age, but in the ages to come.
To emphasize and enlarge on this point, Paul said:
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body.
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, as he told his disciples when he sent them into all the world to spread the Good News. No power can possibly “overpower” him, ever. His reign is eternal.
The question arises, “Why does Jesus not use his power to destroy Satan now!” The answer to that persistent question is to be found in God’s love for and plan for his Church, the body of Christ on the earth, us! The church is the apple of God’s eye.
That church will be his eternal bride. That church is the context in which God will exhibit all his virtues and benefits. That church is the instrument Jesus uses to spread the Good News to all peoples in all places. If I can comprehend God’s love for the church I can begin to understand what is happening.
In my missionary career, when I saw how the church was being persecuted and hemmed in I was tempted to ask God why he does not simply show his strong arm and destroy the power of Satan right there and then. In my more sober moments I ask a deeper question, “Who am I to think that I know what is best for Jesus’ body on the earth. Should I not let that up to him? He cares for his body a thousand times more that I.” My thoughts are earthly thoughts. Jesus’ plan for his body is eternal.
We read in Hebrews 2: 7 – 9: You…crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet. In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus.
We stand before a deep mystery here. How Jesus wields his phenomenal power is not for us to fully understand, but we have the assurance that he is focused, entirely, on the welfare of his body, the church, those who believe. That is where he pours out his fulness.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Eph. 1:21
Please note, the most recent one is on the top. They then appear in reverse order.
21 Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
“Far above.”
Not just “above” but phenomenally “above.” No one comes near!
Above angels.
Above all saints in glory
Above all evil powers and dominions of powers
Above Satan himself, “far above!”
Above all temporal powers, kings, rulers, etc.
I am reminded of the many passages in the Book of Hebrews that describe Jesus’ exultation, just like here. All true lovers of Jesus find it challenging to describe his sublimity, his authority, his reign in his Kingdom. We should not be surprised if this is the favorite way believers worship and learn all over the world. I recall a sister in Africa urging me before I preached, “Show us something new in Jesus.” I needed that admonition. I often forget that every sermon, every meditation, every testimony, every word shared in fellowship is God’s way of showing us how wonderful Jesus is. I learn more and more of Jesus in fellowship and in marinating in the Word himself.
Paul wants us to grasp this overarching reality, Jesus is now far above all powers. Having settled the sin issue through his shed blood, Jesus announced to his disciples that, now “All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples.” He was not speaking in similitudes. He was announcing a fact that shifted everything in heaven and on earth. Jesus is Lord of All. John the Apostle saw, in the Revelation, that written on Jesus side were the words, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
I do well to just sit here, for a month, just trying to digest this grand and glorious reality, not a promise but a present reality, that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
I am left with a searching question, “Is Jesus ‘above all’ in my life?”
21 Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
“Far above.”
Not just “above” but phenomenally “above.” No one comes near!
Above angels.
Above all saints in glory
Above all evil powers and dominions of powers
Above Satan himself, “far above!”
Above all temporal powers, kings, rulers, etc.
I am reminded of the many passages in the Book of Hebrews that describe Jesus’ exultation, just like here. All true lovers of Jesus find it challenging to describe his sublimity, his authority, his reign in his Kingdom. We should not be surprised if this is the favorite way believers worship and learn all over the world. I recall a sister in Africa urging me before I preached, “Show us something new in Jesus.” I needed that admonition. I often forget that every sermon, every meditation, every testimony, every word shared in fellowship is God’s way of showing us how wonderful Jesus is. I learn more and more of Jesus in fellowship and in marinating in the Word himself.
Paul wants us to grasp this overarching reality, Jesus is now far above all powers. Having settled the sin issue through his shed blood, Jesus announced to his disciples that, now “All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples.” He was not speaking in similitudes. He was announcing a fact that shifted everything in heaven and on earth. Jesus is Lord of All. John the Apostle saw, in the Revelation, that written on Jesus side were the words, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
I do well to just sit here, for a month, just trying to digest this grand and glorious reality, not a promise but a present reality, that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
I am left with a searching question, “Is Jesus ‘above all’ in my life?”
Friday, April 8, 2011
Eph. 1:19, 20
19 And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.
His great power for us who believe. This is the second HUGE blessing! God wants us to know how awesomely powerful he is to change us and make us his children. That power can not be compared to any other power. No doubt because no other power can turn wretched human beings into sons and daughters of God. It is simple as that. I certainly do not have the power to do that nor does anyone else. Only the mighty power of God can give a lifeless person life or a struggling person peace.
We live in a day when Satan has many people convinced that they can control their own destiny by pure dint of determination, sometimes by self-help means, or by trying yet another religion or philosophy that does not have the power to make people into sons and daughters of God. Why do we human beings turn our backs on redemption through Jesus Christ? I suppose it is human pride that always wants to be in charge.
How great is the power that gave me life? Paul knows the answer to that. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
My soul, think about that for a bit! How can I possibly take this in? Paul is referring to the divine power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and then raised him up, not only to life, but to his own right hand in the heavenlies. Now, my soul, that is power! Unequaled power.
Think on this for a season. My salvation is won by that power. It is truly resurrection power. If that thought is not amazing enough, I am told that God has not only exerted that power to bring me eternal life but that power is now at work in me to change things in the direction that God wants them changed. Can I ever truly comprehend this?
Jesus is seated. I suppose “placed” might be the meaning of the term “seated,” that is if I think of Jesus as seated and inactive. I know that Jesus is active and busy, constantly. He never sleeps nor takes a holiday. He is always there, interceding for the saints.
The point is that God is eminently pleased about Jesus, all that Jesus had passed through, for our atonement. It is like God saying, “Thank you, Jesus! You died to self and proceeded to pass through the horrors of the Cross – that is now done, accomplished, and will never need to be repeated. Now, my beloved Son, sit here! That work of atonement is now completely accomplished, leaving nothing undone. Thank you, my Son. Rest in joy as you continue your work of bringing sons and daughters into the Family of God.”
His great power for us who believe. This is the second HUGE blessing! God wants us to know how awesomely powerful he is to change us and make us his children. That power can not be compared to any other power. No doubt because no other power can turn wretched human beings into sons and daughters of God. It is simple as that. I certainly do not have the power to do that nor does anyone else. Only the mighty power of God can give a lifeless person life or a struggling person peace.
We live in a day when Satan has many people convinced that they can control their own destiny by pure dint of determination, sometimes by self-help means, or by trying yet another religion or philosophy that does not have the power to make people into sons and daughters of God. Why do we human beings turn our backs on redemption through Jesus Christ? I suppose it is human pride that always wants to be in charge.
How great is the power that gave me life? Paul knows the answer to that. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
My soul, think about that for a bit! How can I possibly take this in? Paul is referring to the divine power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead and then raised him up, not only to life, but to his own right hand in the heavenlies. Now, my soul, that is power! Unequaled power.
Think on this for a season. My salvation is won by that power. It is truly resurrection power. If that thought is not amazing enough, I am told that God has not only exerted that power to bring me eternal life but that power is now at work in me to change things in the direction that God wants them changed. Can I ever truly comprehend this?
Jesus is seated. I suppose “placed” might be the meaning of the term “seated,” that is if I think of Jesus as seated and inactive. I know that Jesus is active and busy, constantly. He never sleeps nor takes a holiday. He is always there, interceding for the saints.
The point is that God is eminently pleased about Jesus, all that Jesus had passed through, for our atonement. It is like God saying, “Thank you, Jesus! You died to self and proceeded to pass through the horrors of the Cross – that is now done, accomplished, and will never need to be repeated. Now, my beloved Son, sit here! That work of atonement is now completely accomplished, leaving nothing undone. Thank you, my Son. Rest in joy as you continue your work of bringing sons and daughters into the Family of God.”
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Eph. 1:18
Please note, the most recent one is on the top. They then appear in reverse order.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
I pray…that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…to know the hope.
My heart has eyes! It has the capability of seeing. This implies that it also has the potential to be blind – seeing nothing, or so clouded, perhaps, with sin and doubt, that it sees but dimly. I must examine my own eyes to make sure that I do in fact see what really matters, to ascertain that which makes the light of God shine into my life and out again to the world.
The hardest thing to see when all is darkness and confusion is hope. The good news is that I can know the hope that is of God for me. I must clear my eyes by applying the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ to them, to remove everything that blinds or distorts and gaze with full vision on the hope that is set before me by the God of the universe and God of my life.
The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
These riches cost God at an inestimable cost. I am pondering the cost the Trinity paid to win my redemption. That cost was unbelievable, incomprehensible, but gloriously true. It cost Jesus everything to make everything available to me. God emptied heaven, so to speak, when Jesus Christ came to earth. He gave his most precious thing, his only son, beloved indeed, to redeem us sinners. Who can doubt the love of God that did all that!
The glorious inheritance. Our inheritance is absolutely unearned. When we point to the grace of God, that is what is meant. I deserve no inheritance because my spiritual nature estranges me from the family of God. I am, as noted earlier, dead when it comes to any inheritance whatsoever. How is it then, that I am a candidate for God’s grace, an inheritance? There is only one answer, God must take the initiative and adopt me. That is the only way I can receive an eternal inheritance. As an adopted child of God I participate in his rich inheritance, now and eternally. As an adopted son, I am given something I certainly do not deserve, a rich inheritance.
In light of this powerful grace of God I can but bow the neck and receive it with thanksgiving.
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
I pray…that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…to know the hope.
My heart has eyes! It has the capability of seeing. This implies that it also has the potential to be blind – seeing nothing, or so clouded, perhaps, with sin and doubt, that it sees but dimly. I must examine my own eyes to make sure that I do in fact see what really matters, to ascertain that which makes the light of God shine into my life and out again to the world.
The hardest thing to see when all is darkness and confusion is hope. The good news is that I can know the hope that is of God for me. I must clear my eyes by applying the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ to them, to remove everything that blinds or distorts and gaze with full vision on the hope that is set before me by the God of the universe and God of my life.
The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
These riches cost God at an inestimable cost. I am pondering the cost the Trinity paid to win my redemption. That cost was unbelievable, incomprehensible, but gloriously true. It cost Jesus everything to make everything available to me. God emptied heaven, so to speak, when Jesus Christ came to earth. He gave his most precious thing, his only son, beloved indeed, to redeem us sinners. Who can doubt the love of God that did all that!
The glorious inheritance. Our inheritance is absolutely unearned. When we point to the grace of God, that is what is meant. I deserve no inheritance because my spiritual nature estranges me from the family of God. I am, as noted earlier, dead when it comes to any inheritance whatsoever. How is it then, that I am a candidate for God’s grace, an inheritance? There is only one answer, God must take the initiative and adopt me. That is the only way I can receive an eternal inheritance. As an adopted child of God I participate in his rich inheritance, now and eternally. As an adopted son, I am given something I certainly do not deserve, a rich inheritance.
In light of this powerful grace of God I can but bow the neck and receive it with thanksgiving.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Eph. 1:16, 17
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I have not stopped giving thanks. This refers to Paul praying for his friends who are in the fellowship in Ephesus but it is a reminder to me that no matter what I am praying for, I should not stop praying. No matter if I see no movement on God’s part or if I see no change in my own attitudes or understanding, I do well to keep on giving thanks, keep on praying. Sometimes it takes a long time before I, through earnest prayer, begin to see things like God does.
I usually think of giving thanks after I receive the answer. I am reminded that I should give thanks even if nothing seems to be happening.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Imbedded in this statement is the marvelous fellowship within the triune God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. All three share the same essence but each has a specific, vital, office to perform.
The prayer is to God, the glorious Father, who is the source of all grace. But allied to the Father is our Lord Jesus Christ. God is in everything that Jesus is, does and has done. I think specifically of Jesus’ atoning work. The atoning work of Jesus is of crucial importance in my prayers, in fact the atonement under girds all my prayers. Finally, the Holy Spirit puts it all together for us in life-giving reality
For what is Paul praying? He is praying for them a Spirit of wisdom. This is not a prayer for what can be obtained by one's own God-given abilities – like rationality and the ability to figure things out. What I need is in a different dimension completely – I need spiritual wisdom. I need The Spirit of wisdom. I need wisdom but can not obtain that except the Holy Spirit grant it, or better yet, for him to be that wisdom himself, wisdom that sees beyond the normal and lives into the reality of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one in fellowship, one in purpose.
The Spirit of revelation. I need Jesus to reveal himself to me. It is foolhardy for me to attempt, with my own limited understanding, to peer into divine revelation because how can a creature like me see into the Spirit of God. For that I need the Holy Spirit to reveal new things, helpful things, all the days of my life.
So that. So that I many know him better. The most amazing thing in all the world is that a human being – limited by earthly time and space - can know God. Who can imagine such a thing? And who can believe that God himself wants us to see him revealed?
I stand amazed as I ponder that. I am amazed by what I see. But even more astounding, perhaps, is that I can experience that grace on a daily, moment by moment basis.
To know him better. That is why I need wisdom, not to know the world, others or even myself better. It is so that I can know God more and more.
To know God includes both knowing about God and his gracious works, but it includes knowing God in a close, personal, deep, face-to-face relationship. That is precious beyond measure.
I have not stopped giving thanks. This refers to Paul praying for his friends who are in the fellowship in Ephesus but it is a reminder to me that no matter what I am praying for, I should not stop praying. No matter if I see no movement on God’s part or if I see no change in my own attitudes or understanding, I do well to keep on giving thanks, keep on praying. Sometimes it takes a long time before I, through earnest prayer, begin to see things like God does.
I usually think of giving thanks after I receive the answer. I am reminded that I should give thanks even if nothing seems to be happening.
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Imbedded in this statement is the marvelous fellowship within the triune God – Father, Son, Holy Spirit. All three share the same essence but each has a specific, vital, office to perform.
The prayer is to God, the glorious Father, who is the source of all grace. But allied to the Father is our Lord Jesus Christ. God is in everything that Jesus is, does and has done. I think specifically of Jesus’ atoning work. The atoning work of Jesus is of crucial importance in my prayers, in fact the atonement under girds all my prayers. Finally, the Holy Spirit puts it all together for us in life-giving reality
For what is Paul praying? He is praying for them a Spirit of wisdom. This is not a prayer for what can be obtained by one's own God-given abilities – like rationality and the ability to figure things out. What I need is in a different dimension completely – I need spiritual wisdom. I need The Spirit of wisdom. I need wisdom but can not obtain that except the Holy Spirit grant it, or better yet, for him to be that wisdom himself, wisdom that sees beyond the normal and lives into the reality of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one in fellowship, one in purpose.
The Spirit of revelation. I need Jesus to reveal himself to me. It is foolhardy for me to attempt, with my own limited understanding, to peer into divine revelation because how can a creature like me see into the Spirit of God. For that I need the Holy Spirit to reveal new things, helpful things, all the days of my life.
So that. So that I many know him better. The most amazing thing in all the world is that a human being – limited by earthly time and space - can know God. Who can imagine such a thing? And who can believe that God himself wants us to see him revealed?
I stand amazed as I ponder that. I am amazed by what I see. But even more astounding, perhaps, is that I can experience that grace on a daily, moment by moment basis.
To know him better. That is why I need wisdom, not to know the world, others or even myself better. It is so that I can know God more and more.
To know God includes both knowing about God and his gracious works, but it includes knowing God in a close, personal, deep, face-to-face relationship. That is precious beyond measure.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Eph. 1:15
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints
For this reason. The reason? Because the love of god constrained him to do what he did to make it possible for anyone to have peace with God – through the Blood of Christ – and because this is the gracious plan of God, to include all in redemption. Because of all this Paul can include both Jews and Gentiles alike as his brothers and sisters in the family of God.
The proof of this is:
(Their) faith in the Lord Jesus. They all, Jews and Gentiles, trusted Jesus completely. If people put their faith in Jesus, it makes no difference at all where they come from or their DNA. What makes us one with one another is not our common chromosomes but our common faith in Jesus Christ.
(Their) love for all the saints, both Jewish and Gentiles – no difference at all. It is not that in Christ they could tolerate one another but that they actually could and did love one another, with the love of God. Love is the deepest, most consequential of all emotions. It is so with God. His love is what gives us life and light.
Am I experiencing that deep, deep love of God in my own life? I need to ponder that. Or do I have a problem in my attitudes toward others, even though they are washed by the same atoning blood that cleanses me?
The love of God is stronger than any human bond. It is the bond that unites me with all those on the face of the earth who love Jesus. That includes my closest brothers and sisters in faith who give me grief now and again. I know that the love of God is at work in my heart when I love those who naturally rub me the wrong way for some reason. I must learn to look, not on behavior and character traits but on the hearts. That love passes right through the veils that separate us and binds our hearts at the deepest level possible.
God looks on the heart. I must strive to do the same.
Paul extols God's redeeming love. God's love is at work in us who believe. That is the reason Paul can thank God for the exciting privilege of being in fellowship with all fellow believers in the household of faith, in the very body of Christ.
A further thought: If I forget the real reason for fellowship - the common cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ - then I seek other ways for unity. That is not the hightest.
For this reason. The reason? Because the love of god constrained him to do what he did to make it possible for anyone to have peace with God – through the Blood of Christ – and because this is the gracious plan of God, to include all in redemption. Because of all this Paul can include both Jews and Gentiles alike as his brothers and sisters in the family of God.
The proof of this is:
(Their) faith in the Lord Jesus. They all, Jews and Gentiles, trusted Jesus completely. If people put their faith in Jesus, it makes no difference at all where they come from or their DNA. What makes us one with one another is not our common chromosomes but our common faith in Jesus Christ.
(Their) love for all the saints, both Jewish and Gentiles – no difference at all. It is not that in Christ they could tolerate one another but that they actually could and did love one another, with the love of God. Love is the deepest, most consequential of all emotions. It is so with God. His love is what gives us life and light.
Am I experiencing that deep, deep love of God in my own life? I need to ponder that. Or do I have a problem in my attitudes toward others, even though they are washed by the same atoning blood that cleanses me?
The love of God is stronger than any human bond. It is the bond that unites me with all those on the face of the earth who love Jesus. That includes my closest brothers and sisters in faith who give me grief now and again. I know that the love of God is at work in my heart when I love those who naturally rub me the wrong way for some reason. I must learn to look, not on behavior and character traits but on the hearts. That love passes right through the veils that separate us and binds our hearts at the deepest level possible.
God looks on the heart. I must strive to do the same.
Paul extols God's redeeming love. God's love is at work in us who believe. That is the reason Paul can thank God for the exciting privilege of being in fellowship with all fellow believers in the household of faith, in the very body of Christ.
A further thought: If I forget the real reason for fellowship - the common cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ - then I seek other ways for unity. That is not the hightest.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Eph. 1:14
14 (The Holy Spirit) who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of his glory.
Until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. I am God’s possession. God owns me. I do not possess or own God. If it would be up to me to desire fellowship with God it would be bad news because, try as I may, with all my might, to go through all the demanding disciplines to enter his presence, I still stand at a distance, yearning but not entering. The human tragedy is to yearn for God, knowing that I can do nothing to satiate that yearning in my soul. Yearning is meaningless unless a way is found to actually enter into the presence of Almighty God.
I must pause before God and let him show the way. I surely can not find the way on my own. The truth is, he possesses me and so is responsible for me, entirely and always. He even gives me the desire (oh, what a precious gift!) to want fellowship with him. I do not come by that naturally. When I feel the longing to rush to God, I find it humbling to realize that the longing is a gift from God. He places within as, when we are reborn, this precious longing. The only part that I can play in opening the way to peace with God is to simply say, “Yes, covered by Jesus’ blood, I enter.”
To the praise of his glory.
Paul ends his introduction with this word of thanksgiving and praise. God deserves all the praise my full heart can know and show. God gives an ample supply of thanks. I need to replenish my store of thanksgiving so that I can give him – not the glory that he deserves, that is way beyond me, but the glory that I am able to give as I worship him and adore him.
So, Paul, in his opening greeting, lays out in magnificent detail, the bed-rock truth – Jesus saves each of us, no matter what our backgrounds and then forms us into a fellowship of love. As we participate actively in the fellowship of open-faced love we find that God uses us to share the Good News with everyone, everywhere we get the opportunity.
Until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. I am God’s possession. God owns me. I do not possess or own God. If it would be up to me to desire fellowship with God it would be bad news because, try as I may, with all my might, to go through all the demanding disciplines to enter his presence, I still stand at a distance, yearning but not entering. The human tragedy is to yearn for God, knowing that I can do nothing to satiate that yearning in my soul. Yearning is meaningless unless a way is found to actually enter into the presence of Almighty God.
I must pause before God and let him show the way. I surely can not find the way on my own. The truth is, he possesses me and so is responsible for me, entirely and always. He even gives me the desire (oh, what a precious gift!) to want fellowship with him. I do not come by that naturally. When I feel the longing to rush to God, I find it humbling to realize that the longing is a gift from God. He places within as, when we are reborn, this precious longing. The only part that I can play in opening the way to peace with God is to simply say, “Yes, covered by Jesus’ blood, I enter.”
To the praise of his glory.
Paul ends his introduction with this word of thanksgiving and praise. God deserves all the praise my full heart can know and show. God gives an ample supply of thanks. I need to replenish my store of thanksgiving so that I can give him – not the glory that he deserves, that is way beyond me, but the glory that I am able to give as I worship him and adore him.
So, Paul, in his opening greeting, lays out in magnificent detail, the bed-rock truth – Jesus saves each of us, no matter what our backgrounds and then forms us into a fellowship of love. As we participate actively in the fellowship of open-faced love we find that God uses us to share the Good News with everyone, everywhere we get the opportunity.
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