God's general revelation is a blessing to the chosen ( Ephesians 1:4-5), but a damnation and curse to the unregenerate that is why we enjoy it and glory in the Creator, we see things they could never see through the discernment of the Spirit
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
One thing I've been thinking about today is that God doesn't expect us to be anything, he places in us a conscience and Godly desires {note not all desires are Godly which is why we should be in the word on a daily basis, to sift out all the evil and wicked desires}. In Ephesians 1:4 He said "that we should be holy and without blame in love:". He doesn't "expect" us to be anything, he speaks to us and tells us thru the holy spirit and our conscience what we should do and shouldn't do, he wants us to obey him and be perfect and without blame in him.
There was a missionary I met a couple years back that said somethign like, "when you go into something, don't expect anything, don't expect it to turn out well and then also don't expect it to turn out badly, b/c if you do, you may very well get let now and Satan uses that as a weak spot for his fiery arrows". God doesn't expect us to do good and nor does he expect us to do evil, he calls us for his purpose and guides us along the way.
In Him is the reality of the new birth, having absolved us of that was against us and future accusations too, H�s precious blood washed and wiped it away forever. Hallelujah!
Ephesians chapter one opens our eyes to the redemptive work of our Lord, it brings us to the knowledge that we have an inheritance in Christ which is guaranteed by the gift of the Holy Ghost.We are destined to be blameless and Holy in Christ, even before the foundation of the earth was led.Its full of revelations, ephesians is a book of blessing
It's beautiful.In the gift of Christ ,God gave up all Heaven. For Christ is the outshining of God's Glory(Goodness).All things were created by Him(Christ).The very blood which became our ransom is the blood of the creator Himself.The price tag on my soul is the price of Heaven . With all this in mind-surely I am blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have not seen Pauls gospel yet in this chapter,consider what he writes in the first 4 verses; Paul declares the gospel to the existing believers in Corinth which they had received and which they had taken a stand,and by which they were saved. Paul writes in verse 3,4. the gospel message that he had received ( Galatians 1:11,12.)Paul received this gospel from Christ himself. There should be no other gospel preached only Pauls Galatians 1:6-10. Do you see Pauls gospel? Ephesians 1:13 says they heard the word of truth the gospel and believed and were sealed and saved. Christ died for OUR SINS was buried and rose again according to the scriptures;thats the gospel of your salvation.
How wonderful is this MYSTERY revealed to us through our dear brother Paul. Christ in you the hope of glory. How blessed we are!
Regarding 'adoption. are we not BORN of God? do we not have God's life and nature as shown elsewhere?
Rob
I want to comment on Dante's comment sbout Ephesians Chapter 1 about verse 7 on 10/02/2013, 3:57am... Dante said "{---that is by grace through faith". To which I agree BUT--scripturally you MUST OBEY the Word of God correctly. You must DO as it says. There is much more to salvation than JUST believing. You MUST OBEY what the WORD say to DO.
In the beginning God wanted to have MAN to himself but sin brought separation that is why HE send his son( predestination) both Jews and gentiles GOD loves every body and wants all to know but it has to be his own way and not the way man thinks (There is a way that seem right unto man but the end is death)JESUS CHRIST is the way.
1 For what is Jesus the savior of ? Does the Bible say it is the Bible? Ephesians 1:22-23...... And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as "HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH", which is his body"
2 Who is the teacher of all the wisdom of GOD? Does the Bible say it is the Bible? Ephesians 3:10 " To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the "CHURCH" to the principalities and authorities in the heavens".
3 For what did Christ give Himself up? Does the Bible say it is the Bible? Ephesians 5:25. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the "CHURCH" and handed himself over for her
Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." Christians understand that we can't be a holy people without the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost nor can we be a loving people without God's Spirit because it's He who sheds His love abroad within our hearts ( Romans 5:5). God chose to have a holy people for the good pleaure of His will. The Godhead determined before the foundation of the world that the people of God would be holy and without blame before Him in love to show forth His grace to the world. The criteria for being His chosen is "To Have Faith In His word" according to John 1:14. Only believers will be partakers of the Son-ship ( Philippians 2:15)( Matthew 5:10). The plan for salvation was also established before the foundation of the world that whosoever repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to make them into the image and likeness of Christ and endure unto death in His truth and righteousness, shall be partakers of the heavenly calling and receive adoption as the Sons of God. Ephesians 1:4 is most effective when we incorporate verses 5-14. (I have a book coming soon please subscribe).
Ayitevi Kangni Zovoin on Isaiah 41:10 - 11 years ago
Our father God is so love with kindness,I feel Him in my side every time especially if I'm in trouble.He will never forget me because He choose me in Christ before the foundation of the word Ephesians 1:3-4.don't be afraid Jesus is in your side He takes care for your problems Alleluiah Amen.
I think that will not go to haven by the things we do or how good we memorized the Bible but how much we trust in Jesus and believe in him and that we follow his word and trust in his directions. In Jesus name we pray.
Pastor Thoms Ngubeni on Matthew 18:18 - 11 years ago
THIS VERSE SHOWS US AS BELIEVERS THE POWER OF CHRIST. THROUGH THE CROSS WE HAVE BEEN GIVE THE AUTHORITY TO EXCERSISE THIS POWER. WE ARE SUPPOSE TO PROHIBIT THE ACTS OF THE ENEMY(SATAN) BY BELIVING THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.LOOKING AT VERSE 19 ON THE SAME CHAPTER YOU WILL REALIZE THAT THE WORD, "AGREE" ON EARTH CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT THEY ASK, IT WILL BE DONE FOR THEM BY MY FATHER IN HEAVEN'. THROUGH THE CROSS OF CALVARY THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GIVEN THE RIGHT TO USE THE POWER OF CHRIST.UNLESS WE BECOME WHAT PAUL THE APOSTLE SAYS IN EPHESIANS 1:18-19 "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened ; that you may know what is the hope of His calling , what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19.'and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20' which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places'.Verse 22' And He put all things under His feet , and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23' which is His body , the fullness of Him who fills all in all. THEREFORE THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS BEEN GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO ACT ON EARTH LIKE CHRIST. -GOD BLESS YOU!
I know the lord is real I've had so many trails & tribulations in my life that I know it was no one eles but Jesus Christ himself to pull me threw thoses painful loses deep depressions suicidal moments not feeling loved by the ones we love so much called family! Just learn to trust in God & not man& always always keep him first cause he is the head of my life & stay prayerful cause he does answer prayers &
& the more prayers go up the mote blessings
Pauls Gospel;verse 3,4. "Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again" How many people miss Pauls gospel. Its the gospel of our salvation Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
This is how I got saved.
As I read the comments on this p***age, I am reminded of the scripture in ( Revelation 22:18-19)
Which is a warning for those who distort the Word! The Bible also records in ( I Timothy 4:1) that this is another sign of the last days as well as ( 2Timothy 4:3-4) (2 Timothy3:16)" God Breathed" Read also ( 2 Peter1:19-21)(2 Peter2:1). Pray the prayer according to ( Ephesians 1:17-19), allow God through the Holy spirit to teach you, and give you the revelation, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His word.
In response to Steve's question .. eph. CH.1vs 16.
I believe paul is talking to believers. Jews and gentiles . In a commentary I own it says scroggie puts it nicely ... reading ... Thanksgiving is for the foundation already laid , but intercession is for the superstructure going up. Thanksgiving is for past attainments , but intercession is for future advancements . Thanksgiving is for the actual in their experience , but intercession is for the possible in God's purpose for them ......hope this answers your question. I personally find the chapters an excellent reminded to pray for my loved ones and a reminder to praise God for his promises.
This is my prayer for Fainthel; according to Ephesians 1:17-21. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when He Raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places,far above Principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world ,but also in that which is to come. Amen!!
Having my sight being enlightened, I now know and understand. after that I believed the gospel of my salvation,I was sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
One thing I've been thinking about today is that God doesn't expect us to be anything, he places in us a conscience and Godly desires {note not all desires are Godly which is why we should be in the word on a daily basis, to sift out all the evil and wicked desires}. In Ephesians 1:4 He said "that we should be holy and without blame in love:". He doesn't "expect" us to be anything, he speaks to us and tells us thru the holy spirit and our conscience what we should do and shouldn't do, he wants us to obey him and be perfect and without blame in him.
There was a missionary I met a couple years back that said somethign like, "when you go into something, don't expect anything, don't expect it to turn out well and then also don't expect it to turn out badly, b/c if you do, you may very well get let now and Satan uses that as a weak spot for his fiery arrows". God doesn't expect us to do good and nor does he expect us to do evil, he calls us for his purpose and guides us along the way.
Ephesians 1:13 says they heard the word of truth the gospel and believed and were sealed and saved. Christ died for OUR SINS was buried and rose again according to the scriptures;thats the gospel of your salvation.
Regarding 'adoption. are we not BORN of God? do we not have God's life and nature as shown elsewhere?
Rob
Ephesians 1:22-23...... And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as "HEAD OVER ALL THINGS TO THE CHURCH", which is his body"
2 Who is the teacher of all the wisdom of GOD? Does the Bible say it is the Bible?
Ephesians 3:10 " To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the "CHURCH" to the principalities and authorities in the heavens".
3 For what did Christ give Himself up? Does the Bible say it is the Bible?
Ephesians 5:25. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the "CHURCH" and handed himself over for her
& the more prayers go up the mote blessings
This is how I got saved.
Which is a warning for those who distort the Word! The Bible also records in ( I Timothy 4:1) that this is another sign of the last days as well as ( 2Timothy 4:3-4) (2 Timothy3:16)" God Breathed" Read also ( 2 Peter1:19-21)(2 Peter2:1). Pray the prayer according to ( Ephesians 1:17-19), allow God through the Holy spirit to teach you, and give you the revelation, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His word.
I believe paul is talking to believers. Jews and gentiles . In a commentary I own it says scroggie puts it nicely ... reading ... Thanksgiving is for the foundation already laid , but intercession is for the superstructure going up. Thanksgiving is for past attainments , but intercession is for future advancements . Thanksgiving is for the actual in their experience , but intercession is for the possible in God's purpose for them ......hope this answers your question. I personally find the chapters an excellent reminded to pray for my loved ones and a reminder to praise God for his promises.