Please note, the most recent one is on the top. They then appear in reverse order.
2:20a Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Paul adds a metaphor to describe our position in Christ Jesus, parts of a building in which each item plays a part in the edifice, God’s house, the Kingdom of Christ Jesus.
Every building needs a foundation, so it is in this building. The Apostles and Prophets are foundational. They have been used by God to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christian theology is not an eclectic bundle of the ideas of philosophers an kings. The Gospel explains what God has done to redeem mankind and how that redemption is received and lived by people.
Paul contended against Judaizers. John contended against Gnostics. All the New Testament writers encouraged the believers to return, again and again, to the histological facts of Jesus’ work and the core beliefs around which any Christ-honoring theology may be constructed.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Eph. 2:19
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
Because we all “died” to any loyalty other than loyalty to Jesus Christ, we, through the death of Jesus, are made sons and daughters of God and fellow citizens in his Kingdom.
As I consider the word “consequently,” I am pushed back again, to the unfathomable love of God. God was moved by his love! Not pity. He so loved the world that he took the initiative to save us. That is love incarnate.
A lot had to happen before I could be reborn into my new universal family. I had absolutely nothing to do with that! I just believe it and live by faith as I find it enlightening my way. To unpack all that is in that package of grace would take a lifetime, and more. I know it is complete because it witnesses to my spirit. As I live, I believe.
Paul is saying, you had nothing to do with the preparing of your salvation, nor in choosing your new brothers and sisters. All of that is in the hands of God. Now, however, as redeemed people, you have become a new family. Now, choose to live peaceably in your new family.
I need to keep in mind that in the Kingdom there are no foreigners or aliens, just blood-bought and blood-washed adopted children whose delight is in the Lord. I must be careful that I do not stand above others, feeling that I deserve to be here. I am a saved alien, a welcomed foreigner.
Thinking out loud; I wonder if the members of our local congregation here feel like they are “home bodies,” not foreigners or strangers. I fear that at times our customs and habits reflect our thinking that “the real citizens or birth-children” do it a certain way. May the Lord of this universal Kingdom give us grace to make everyone feel “at home.”
Fellow citizens sounds wonderful. Members of God’s household is even better! Both pictures say the same thing – in the Body of Christ every person has full access to the fullness of God in Jesus Christ.
Because we all “died” to any loyalty other than loyalty to Jesus Christ, we, through the death of Jesus, are made sons and daughters of God and fellow citizens in his Kingdom.
As I consider the word “consequently,” I am pushed back again, to the unfathomable love of God. God was moved by his love! Not pity. He so loved the world that he took the initiative to save us. That is love incarnate.
A lot had to happen before I could be reborn into my new universal family. I had absolutely nothing to do with that! I just believe it and live by faith as I find it enlightening my way. To unpack all that is in that package of grace would take a lifetime, and more. I know it is complete because it witnesses to my spirit. As I live, I believe.
Paul is saying, you had nothing to do with the preparing of your salvation, nor in choosing your new brothers and sisters. All of that is in the hands of God. Now, however, as redeemed people, you have become a new family. Now, choose to live peaceably in your new family.
I need to keep in mind that in the Kingdom there are no foreigners or aliens, just blood-bought and blood-washed adopted children whose delight is in the Lord. I must be careful that I do not stand above others, feeling that I deserve to be here. I am a saved alien, a welcomed foreigner.
Thinking out loud; I wonder if the members of our local congregation here feel like they are “home bodies,” not foreigners or strangers. I fear that at times our customs and habits reflect our thinking that “the real citizens or birth-children” do it a certain way. May the Lord of this universal Kingdom give us grace to make everyone feel “at home.”
Fellow citizens sounds wonderful. Members of God’s household is even better! Both pictures say the same thing – in the Body of Christ every person has full access to the fullness of God in Jesus Christ.
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