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Thursday, August 24, 2017

The Exceeding Riches of His Grace {Ephesians 2}



In today’s chapter Paul continues reminding the Ephesians that without Christ they were dead and separated from God, and this was our condition, too! (2:1-3) But our Father did something amazing for us: “ But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment)And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. “(2:4-7)

Then Paul continues to explain that we are saved by grace, through faith, and this faith is a gift of God, therefore no one can boast. (2:8-10)

“The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul; he lives a life of holiness, being born of God: he lives, being delivered from the guilt of sin, by pardoning and justifying grace” (M. Henry)

Christianity is about God uniting Himself with man, through Jesus Christ, and men being united in Jesus Christ; In Him there are no differences between Gentiles or Hebrews; men or women (Galatians 3:28) This was in His heart as He prayed in John 17 and this great opportunity is God's gift.  Let us also make this our desire: to be in unity, serving one another in His love! 
  
“ Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called “Uncircumcision” by those who called themselves “Circumcision,” [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God. 13 But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near [b]by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. “(2:11-14)

Yes in Him we are rich, we are full! But, it is heartbreaking to see how so many people in our Churches are hurting: their families are falling apart, financial issues, illness, etc.and sometimes we are not even aware of this because we are only interested in our own issues! Let us remember: we have been enriched by His Grace, so it is by grace we should give to others in return (Matthew 10: 7-8)



“So is it with the grace of God: he has as much grace as you want, and he has a great deal more than that. The Lord has as much grace as a whole universe will require, but he has vastly more. He overflows: all the demands that can ever be made on the grace of God will never impoverish him, or even diminish his store of mercy; there will remain an incalculably precious mine of mercy as full as when he first began to bless the sons of men.” (Spurgeon)
The Church of Jesus Christ is now the spiritual body of believers who represent Christ on earth. The great truth of Christianity is that God uniting the world to Himself through the believers. (2:19-22)
 Adam Clarke explained how God’s work in the Church gave glory to the wisdom, power, and love of God.  We should praise God for His glorious Church!!
· There is nothing as noble as the Church, seeing that it is the temple of God.
· There is nothing so worthy of reverence, seeing God who dwells in it.
· There is nothing so ancient, since the patriarchs and prophets worked to building it.
· There is nothing so solid, since Jesus Christ is the foundation of it.
· There is nothing so high, since it reaches as high as to the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
· There is nothing so perfect and well proportioned, since the Holy Spirit is the architect.
· There is nothing more beautiful, because it is adorned with building stones of every age, every place, every people; from the highest kings to the lowest peasants; with the most brilliant scientists and the simplest believers.
· There is nothing more spacious, since it is spread over the whole earth, and takes in all who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
· There is nothing so Divine, since it is a living building, animated and inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

Let me close with a thought from M. Henry: “Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him? Are we habitations of God by the Spirit, are we spiritually-minded, and do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Let us take heed not to grieve the holy Comforter. Let us desire his gracious presence, and his influences upon our hearts. Let us seek to discharge the duties allotted to us, to the glory of God.”  May this become a reality in our lives.”


Blessings my sisters!!