No doubt the Ephesians who God had saved by His grace, both Jews and Gentiles, were amazed at God’s grace and grateful for their deliverance from the consequences of sin. I know I am. I can’t find the words to express what it means to me to be seated with Christ in heavenly places. This … Read more
The first verses of Ephesians chapter 2 are still connected to the subject of the resurrection power that raised Christ up from among the dead. The same principle has worked in us who were spiritually separated from God. The calling of the Church is a heavenly calling by God of those who were dead and … Read more
The first prayer recorded in the book of Ephesians is not one in which requests are obscure and the words to big to grasp their meaning. Paul wanted the saints to lay hold on hope for themselves and understand there was something for God when referring to the riches of His glory, but also he … Read more
In his first prayer in this book of Ephesians, Paul addresses God above and beyond that with which the Jewish believers would have used. Certainly it was far more real than those who had worshipped the idol Diana would have known. Instead of “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” or the goddess Diana, Paul’s … Read more
The things we have in common with other Christians is a great motivating factor for us to keep connected with them. Paul knew the believers in Ephesus because he had lived among them for some time, but at the time of his writing he was at a distance from them. His interest in them was … Read more
The Jews were those who first heard the Gospel, and even in Ephesus there were a number of Jewish men who had been baptized with John the Baptist’s baptism that was in view of national repentance and restoration of the nation of Israel to its former position among the nations. Paul and those with him … Read more
The believers at Ephesus must have been surprised and perhaps overwhelmed at the thought they were a part of a great universal work of God that had been going on for a long time. Not only was there salvation for them personally through redemption by the blood of Christ, but they were in the plans … Read more
Our God is infinite in all of His being so that everything He does is already known to Him completely as a finished event, before the event or work is even begun. He knows the end from the beginning. So how is it possible that He can share that which is unknown to us, with … Read more
Our acceptance in Christ is not just an arbitrary random action on God’s part. He did not overlook one part of his character to show His great benevolence toward us to meet our need. It is quite in keeping with God’s spotless perfect character to demonstrate His love and mercy through undeserved grace. Our acceptance … Read more
Is it really possible for me to “be to the praise of the glory of His grace?” What is it that could actually demonstrate the grace of God from my personality, lifestyle and reactions to the circumstances of life? God does not issue impossible commands, and the grace He has freely given us in Christ … Read more