Ephesians — Page 3

Even When – Eph-2.5a

March 20, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

Deprecated: Function wp_make_content_images_responsive is deprecated since version 5.5.0! Use wp_filter_content_tags() instead. in /home1/rlamars/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6078

2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

“Even when”. Those are two powerful words that are often glanced over in the anticipation of what comes next. There is great peace and hope that comes in what follows, as Paul describes that we were once dead, but now have life; having been saved by grace.

We should pause and reflect on, “even then”. In our sin and in spite of our past, He loves us. Like me, you may not have a checkered past. Having been reared in a Christian home and exposed to the Gospel early, I’ve never felt the sting of a hangover and was virgin when I married.

Perhaps my sin was worse! I knew better! I walked the path of addiction. I rebelled against my earthly and heavenly Father. I neglected to heed wise counsel. “Even then” He loved and still loves. Romans 5:6-10 are key to understand this truth. Verse 10 summarizes God’s love in this way, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”

I am thankful for His love, “even when” I was a sinner who kept on sinning.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 5:10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 2:5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Stay dead or come to life… E.2:1

March 8, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

EPHESIANS 2:1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

I’ve never been good at land navigation. Topographical maps are a challenge for me. I do know that it is critical to identify your starting location and your ultimate objective. An awareness of your starting point is critical to reaching the destination. Many in this world toil and fret over how to overcome obstacles and achieve success. It is tempting to rely on one’s strength and explore various ways to discover happiness, or escape pain. The reality is that we are dead men walking!

We must be aware of the reality of our current state of separation from God. Of this, Wuest wrote, ” It should be kept clearly in mind that death is not extinction of being or inactivity. Spiritual death is the state of separation from God and His life. Death itself is a separation, whether physical, the separation of the person from his body, or spiritual, the separation of the person from God.” We are hopeless and unable to find life and purpose, apart from in Christ.

In Ephesians 2:1, Paul writes of our dead state and condition. This is a result of our trespasses and sins. While these two words are synonymous, the word “trespass” carries with it a connotation of legal judgment and condemnation. In fact, John 3:18 teaches us that we are “condemned already”. Having been condemned to eternal separation from God because of our sin nature, there is no hope apart from that legal transaction being resolved.

Thankfully God provided a way, through the gift of His Son, Jesus. He paid the price for our sin by dying on a cross and spilling His blood, so that we can be “justified”. This is another legal term that declares that we are right with God because of what Jesus did, and not because of anything we have done.

An awareness of your starting point is critical to reaching the destination. We all hope to find peace in this life and hope in the life to come. Begin now by recognizing your need for someone to rescue you from you current dead state, and provide a way to life. Follow this link to find out how you can make this decision now: http://www.findithere.com/hope.php

Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Eph 2:1). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 2:1–2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Stand at Attention

March 1, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

1:22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Several years ago I had the privilege of visiting friends in Westpoint, NY. Since my friend was an officer in the U.S. Army and professor at Westpoint, I had the behind the scenes experience. One such experience was attending a holiday social with several other Westpoint officers and professors. These are real men who welcomed me into this relaxed environment. That comfort quickly transformed when the commanding General of Westpoint entered the room. Instantly all conversations ceased and every person stood at attention. It took me a moment to recognize what was happening, and I absolutely stood at attention as well. In that moment, I was simply a civilian, but I was forced to acknowledge the authority of the man who was in charge.

In Ephesians 1:22, Paul uses military language to illustrate the supreme authority of Christ. “Put under” is hupotassō, a military term meaning “to put in subjection under one”. The matter of who is in authority has already been determined. It is now simply a matter of willing or forced submission.

Imagine a recruit in boot camp. The system is designed to break down the individual and rebild this person into a warrior. How willingly the recruit submits to the rank and authority of the world in which he lives, will impact the overall experience of boot camp. For us in the “boot camp of life”, we can willingly choose to surrender our plans and control to Him in exchange for a better life. Either way, Philippians 2:10-11 is true when it says, “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 1:22). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 2:10–11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Jesus is Lord, whether you like it or not. E.1:21

February 28, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

It has been said that, “If Jesus is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all.” This is a penetrating question for the daily Christian walk, while at the same time is could be said that Jesus is Lord whether you allow Him to be, or not.

Daniel 7:14 says, “And to him was given dominion  and glory and a kingdom,   that all peoples, nations, and languages  should serve him;   his dominion is an everlasting dominion,  which shall not pass away,   and his kingdom one  that shall not be destroyed.” This reality is reinforced all throughout Scripture (Psalm 2, Psalm 72, Psalm 110), including here in Ephesians 1:21.

This universal Lordship, and preeminence of Christ is what Paul wishes and prays his readers know and recognize. For each believer today, we must choose to accept and submit to His authority so that His power might be seen, and be made perfect, in our weakness.   The Lordship of Christ requires absolute submission of every area of our life to His control. He’s already in charge, so rather than push against the Creator of the world in a spirit of rebellion, rest in the absolute peace of being lead by the Master of Sea through any storm of life. The journey begins with a submissive heart and a simple prayer.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 1:21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Da 7:14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Game Changer: Eph. 1.9

January 16, 2017 by rickysmith Leave a Comment

1:9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 1:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Game changers make a significant impact on our life. A new invention, a new partnership, a loss of a leader, or other significant changes can result a paradigm shift with tantamount implications. For the world of organized religion, particularly Old Testament Judaism, there was a long standing culture and practice instilled in their tradition. The incarnation of Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection changed the game for eternity. The temple veil was torn, the Gentile exclusion was abolished, and the message of hope was sent to the uttermost by God’s appointed. The extent of the gospel and an understanding of God’s purpose and plan are the mysteries reveled that are implied in Ephesians 1:9. His plans were established before the foundation of the world, and were revealed in Christ. His desire for a unified relationship with man gives hope for us today.