The Transformation - Ephesians 4

Paul describes our position in Christ as a child of God in the previous chapters. As we move on to the second half of this series, Paul is giving us instructions of how we need to be transformed to fit into the place God has prepared for us. Imagine for instance, you have been provided with a high profile job with heavy incentives, or invited for a night's dinner on a formal occasion. Don`t we need to dress and conduct yourself accordingly? The last three chapters of Ephesians are instructions for us, how to conduct our self to be worthy of the vocation we have been called for (4:1).As we meditate on the word of God, let us pray that God will open our eyes of understanding to comprehend and transform yourself, according to these words.

So let`s roll our sleeves, as we metamorphose becoming citizens of the heavenly kingdom each new day!

Our Highest Calling:

• There is one God and Father, who is above all, through all and in all of us. (4:6)
• There is one Lord, one faith and one baptism. (4:5)
• we are all called to be of one body, one spirit and one hope (4:4)
• Hence we need to be lowly, meek, long suffering and bear one another in love. (4:2)
• Aim to keep the unity of spirit with bonds of peace. (4:3)

The gift of grace:

• Jesus descended first into the lower parts of the Earth. (4:9)
• He led the captivity captive. (AMP Translation: He led a train of vanquished foes –i.e., defeating enemies, such as sin and death), ascended up to heaven and gave various gifts for men.(4:8)
• Jesus descended to the lower parts of the Earth and then ascended far above all the heavens so that he can fill all things. (4:10)
• According to this measure of gifts in Christ Jesus, he gives grace to every one of us(4:7)

Edification of the Church:

• God has made some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. (4:11)
• This he does, for the work of the ministry, that we may be made perfect and for the body of Christ comprising of all of us, to be edified. (4:12)
• And also, that we may not be tossed to and fro, by every doctrine thrown at us by the sleight of men, that are waiting to deceive us. (4:14)
• God will keep apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers among us, till we are all united in faith, till we as one body, grow up into a perfect man in the knowledge of Christ and unto the stature that fits the fullness of Christ. (4:13)
• We need to speak the truth in love and grow up in Christ in all things. (4:15)
• Christ is the head of the body of the church. In him the whole body is fitly framed together and every joint is supplied. In him there is effectual working of each part and there is increase in the body edifying itself in love. (4:16)

The transformation:

• Hence, Paul testifies in the Lord, that we henceforth should not live a life, as people who do not know Christ, according to the vanity of our minds. (4:17)
• People who do not know Christ, their understanding are darkened. They are ignorant and hence are alienated to the life in Christ and their hearts are blind to the truth. ( 4:18)
• They have given themselves to lasciviousness and to work greedily all things that are morally impure. (4:19)
• But we have not learned to be like them from Christ (4:20)
• Hence we ought to conduct ourselves, the way we are taught by Christ and we have heard from him. The truth is in Jesus. (4:21)
• Paul urges us, to put off the old man that is corrupt and is filled with lust. ( 4:22)
• He urges us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. He commends us to wear the new man that God has created, that which is holy and righteous. (4:23,24)

Putting on the new man:

• As we are of the same body, we should speak truth with each other and put away lying. (4:25)
• Do not sin when you are angry and give up your wrath before the sun come down. (4: 26)
• Do not give any place to the devil. (4:27)
• If we have stolen before, let us not steal. Paul urges us to labor with our hands that we can give to people in need. (4:28)
• Let no foul language proceed from our mouth, but speak words that are edifying and good, that may minister grace to the hearer. (4:29)
• The holy spirit of God is the seal of our redemption. Hence we should not grieve him. (4:30)
• Be away from all bitterness, anger, clamor, evil speaking and all malice. (4:31)
• Be kind to one another, tender-hearted and forgive others the way Christ for God`s sake forgave us. (4:32)

Dear Lord Jesus,

We come into your presence, believing that we are the redeemed saints inheriting the kingdom of heaven. Help us Lord, to put on the new man and leave behind all the activities of the old man. Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be transformed to become more like you as we move from glory to glory. Thank you Lord for cleansing us and making us whole. In jesus mighty name we pray…..Amen.

Mystery untold - Ephesians 3

Dear friends….wish you all a blessed day! We are going to meditate on the 3rd chapter of Ephesians in this series, today. This Chapter gives us a glimpse of the mystery of how Gentiles can become partakers of the promise in Christ, the grace given to Paul to make this mystery known to all men and a wonderful prayer that Paul makes for us that inspire every Christian to pray each day.

The Mystery of Gentiles being fellow- heirs:

Paul talks about the mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs, in this 3rd Chapter (Verses 1-6). He talks about this mystery more in Chapter 2 and I would urge you to refer to the meditation on Chapter 2 (http://christlovelovelin.blogspot.ae/2015/01/the-prize-of-salvation.html ) to know more.

• THE GREATEST MYSTERY: Gentiles can be fellow-heirs and of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ – by the Gospel of truth. (3:6)
• This mystery was not made known before days, but is revealed now to the holy apostles and prophets through the Holy Spirit. (3:5)
• Paul describes himself a prisoner of Christ, for this cause. (3:1)
• Paul has been given the grace to understand this mystery, and he describes it more in Chapter 2, so that we may read understand his knowledge about it.(3:2-4)

The Grace given to Paul:

• According to the gift of grace given to Paul, by the effectual working of God`s power, he was made a minister. (3:7)
• Though he considers himself, the least of all saints, this grace was given to him so that he can preach about this great mystery of the unsearchable riches of Christ to the gentiles. (3:8)
• This great mystery of Gentiles coming to Christ Jesus has been hidden in God since the beginning of the world. Paul`s goal is to make all men know about this mystery (3:9)
• So that the manifold wisdom of God will be made known even in the heavenly places, among the powers and principalities, through the church (3:10)

(This describes the authority we have over the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus).

• Hence we have boldness to access God with confidence through Christ Jesus, according to the eternal purpose God purposed in Christ. (3:11,12)

Prayer of Paul for us:

Paul bows his knees before the Father God, in whom the heaven and earth are named and made this prayer below. (3:14, 15)

He prays this prayer so that we will not faint looking at the tribulation he undergoes for us. (3:13)

If you are a believer and undergoing trials and tribulations for Christ sake, make this prayer of Paul, yours too.

• Paul prays that we will be strengthened in the inner man, by the might of God`s spirit. (3:16)
• That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith (3:17)
• That we may be rooted and grounded in the Love of God (3:17)
• That we will be able to comprehend the length, breadth, depth and the height of  the knowledge of Christ which passes all knowledge (3:18,19)
• That we will be filled with all the fullness of God. (3:20)
• God is able to do exceeding abundantly more than what we can ask or think of, according to his power that works in us. (3:20)
• To God is the glory in the church by Christ Jesus. – Amen.

Follow the link to read Ephesians 3 in the Bible:  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%203

Spiritual Riches In Christ

Ephesians -1

1. This book of Ephesians was written to the saints and the faithful people in Christ Jesus in Ephesus. So if you are a saint (a person washed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and baptized by water and spirit, wanting to live a holy and blameless life pleasing to God) this book is for you.

2. We are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places through Jesus Christ. (1:3). Worldly blessings may mean riches, health, fame, relationships and so on. But spiritual blessings are something different, which means if you can have them, all your worldly blessings will be added to you for free.

3. Here below are some spiritual blessings that God has provided for us. I pray that our eyes be opened to the truth so that we will be able to stand bold in our faith.

1. 1.      We are chosen even before the earth has been formed to be holy and blameless in love, through Christ Jesus. (1:4)
2. 2.      We have been predestined to be the adopted Children of the most high God, through Jesus Christ, according to his will.(1:5)
3. 3.      We are given Grace that enables us to be accepted. (1:6)
4. 4.      His Grace is so rich that we are redeemed and our sins are forgiven through the blood of Christ. (1:7)
5. 5.      At the right time, God will gather all things in heaven and on Earth through Christ as one. (1:10). (Means we will also be gathered as one in Christ Jesus).  This is a Mystery (secret) unrevealed to an ordinary person, but made known to his chosen ones. (1:9)
6. 6.      We are predestined to be his inheritance. (Means whatever belongs to God we have a share too). (1:11), so that we are the praise of his glory.(1:12)
7. 7.      We are sealed by the Holy Spirit after we got saved hearing the word of God. (1:13)
8. 8.      This Holy Spirit is the witness for our inheritance, till we meet Jesus. (1:14)
9. 9.      This is the hope of our calling. This is the inheritance of his saints…(1:18) that we are seated in the heavenly places in Jesus Christ (2:6)
10. 10.  Now, where is Jesus Christ seated? The father of Jesus Christ through his mighty power raised Jesus from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places. (1:17, 19, 20)
11. 11.  This is far above all the principalities, powers, dominions (1:21, 6: 12) and every other name in the heaven and earth and the world to come.(1:21). Hence being seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we also have the same authority over the principalities, dominions and powers of darkness through Christ.
12. 12.  All things are under the feet of Jesus and we are under his Lordship (1:22) for we as the church is the body of Christ and we are filled with his fullness (1:23)
13. Hence as Paul prays, this should be our prayer everyday, that we will be filled with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ and our eyes of understanding will be enlightened to know the hope of our calling and the riches we inherit in Christ.(1:17,18). To God be the glory. Amen.