Ephesians 3-4:6

God had given Paul the responsibility of being a messenger of God’s grace to the Gentiles. (see verse 2) Gentile and Christian, fellow heirs (v 6) through the works of Christ Jesus. Through faith we continue to trust in Christ and what He has done for us. (see verse 17)

Concerning verse 20, MacArthur says, “When the conditions of v 16-19 are met, God’s power working in and through believers is unlimited and far beyond their comprehension.” (p 1808)

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (v 20-21, NKJV)

Faithfulness of the saints, giving glory to God!

4:1 ~ “Therefore…” MacArthur explains that there is a “transition from doctrine to duty, principle to practice, position to behavior.” (p 1808) We are now called to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”. Definitely we are called to practice a different behavior than before we were called out of our former lifestyle. We are called to change our behavior through the faith we gain as we read His Word. If you say you can’t change, your faith is lacking because God can do all things.

4:2 continues to give us examples of putting into practice what God is revealing through Paul. He calls for “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (v 2-3, ESV)

MacArthur helps us understand that our walk points to our daily conduct and the word humility here is a word not found in the Latin or Greek vocabularies during Paul’s time. The Greek word apparently came about by Christians, “perhaps even by Paul himself, to describe a quality for which no other word was available. Humility, the most foundational Christian virtue (James 4:6), is the quality of character commanded in the first beatitude (Matt 5:3), and describes the noble grace of Christ.” (p 1808)

He goes on to explain that “meekness”, an inevitable product of humility, refers to that which is mild-spirited and self-controlled. “Humility, gentleness, and patience are reflected in forbearing love for others that is continuous and unconditional.” (p 1808)

As we continue on with Ephesians next week, we will start to understand where we, as believers, were before Christ called us and find there are no excuses as we learn from His Word what he has called us to task.

I trust that you had a blessed Thanksgiving and are now looking forward to a season where we point to our Precious Savior’s birth. May you feel the challenges of God’s calling, read the Word daily. From November 28th to December 5, Amazon will offer the Kindle edition of “Faithful Promises of God” for 99 cents. It will walk you through the Word day by day and help you to apply God’s Word to your own life. Until next week, be blessed in Him alone!

Ephesians 2

Vv 1-3 A reminder that each of us “walk according to the course of this world” (see v. 2) being guided by evil and are disobedient. “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Eph 2:3)

We are dead when we live as the world lives. “But God, rich in mercy” (v.4) “raised us up with Him” (v.6) brought us to Himself. Imagine that, He brought us to Himself!

Vv 8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,” (v 1:4) “for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them.” (v 2:10) Would I have grown more in Him if I had understood that I was chosen by God? Understanding that He had a plan for me from the beginning of time, not just since I was born but from the beginning; would I have behaved any differently than I have in my Christian walk? Or did He allow me to walk as I have to teach me who He is? To guide me closer to Him so that I would grasp that no one on this earth can give me what I need most.

And what is that?

Being rejected by my mother, I wasn’t good enough. Being compared to other women by men I trusted, I wasn’t good enough. Being put down by an employer no matter how hard I tried, I wasn’t good enough. By people that I thought were friends, I didn’t measure up to their expectations.

But God…but God was there the whole time, lovingly waiting for me. He gently showed me that He loves me for who I am. I didn’t have to keep proving myself, He knows me and accepts me for who I am and where I am. He chose me to be His because I am part of His plan, my talents are just what He needs. There are no surprises with God, He has known me from the beginning, flaws and all.

I cannot boast or think I am better than anyone else. He chose me for a purpose and the only way I can know what that purpose is is by reading the Bible, not bits and pieces here and there but all of it. From cover to cover, year in and year out. He uses His Word to guide me to all truth.

In Him is my whole being. I may fall short from time to time but He is there to pick me up, to dust me off and with a repentant heart, I am ready to move forward, hand in hand with my Savior.

………...…

As I explained last week, as I read the Bible this year, I have been keeping a journal of my thoughts, of what He shows me and what I am trying to grasp. I don’t expect you to understand each thought but perhaps my thoughts will help someone else move forward in Christ. Until next week…may you walk with God in His abundance.

Ephesians 1

This year has been very unusual but in that we can learn to draw closer to the Lord. As most of you know, I read through the Bible each year but this year I tried something a little different. I read several chapters a day in the Old Testament by listening to the Word. It is amazing what we pick up in listening instead of reading. Then each morning I read one chapter in the New Testament and make notes as to what touched my heart, important Scripture, and what I learned from this passage (that is applying it to my every day life). I am keeping a journal so I can go back and review these new insights.

I found that the book of Ephesians has so much meaning and I will share my notes over the next few weeks. I would so enjoy hearing from you concerning what I’ve written or how you are coming along with your Bible reading. Thank you for allowing me to share and your taking the time to read what I write. manager@afaeoriginal.com

v.4 ~ “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.”

v.5 ~ “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself…”

John MacArthur says, “The doctrine of election is emphasized throughout Scripture. The form of the Greek verb behind “chose” indicates that God not only chose by Himself but for Himself to the praise of His own glory (vv. 6, 12, 14) God’s election or predestination does not operate apart from or nullify man’s responsibility to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior”. (“The MacArthur Study Bible”, p 1803).

v. 11 ~ “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will…”

Again, MacArthur adds his thoughts in understanding the text, “Before the earth was formed, God sovereignly determined that every elect sinner—however vile, useless, and deserving of death—by trusting in Christ would be made righteous” (p. 1804)

MacArthur further says “As God works out His plan according “to the counsel of His will”, He energizes every believer with power necessary for His spiritual completion. (Phil 1:6; 2:13)”

v.22 ~ “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

MacArthur says, “Christ is clearly the authoritative Head (not “source”) because all things have been placed under His feet.”

It’s short and simple but let me ask you today, have you experienced “spiritual completion”? God is reaching out to you, handing you a gift…are you ready to grab hold of His calling?