Category Archives: Inspired Message

Who likes to think of the pain and trouble one has experienced in the past? But remembering the troubles of the past helps us to appreciate the blessings we now enjoy. In order for the follower of Christ to truly appreciate how God has blessed him, it is necessary for him to remember his condition before knowing Christ. The Apostle Paul directs his inspired letter to the Ephesian Christians, primarily to those who came from a non-Jewish background. In chapter two, verses one through five, Paul reminded them of how God has resurrected the followers of Christ from spiritual death and exalted them in Christ. In verses 11 and 12 he goes on to remind them of other aspects of their condition before they became Christ’s followers. Though Paul had already emphasized that while both Jews and non-Jews alike were spiritually dead because of sin, the non-Jew faced several additional unique spiritual disadvantages or obstacles. Paul writes, “Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision,” (in the flesh, made by hands); that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

Paul points out that one obstacle which non-Jewish people faced was that of prejudice. God had chosen the Jews as the people through whom He would bring the Savior to the world. Instead of being humbled by this privilege, the Jewish people became proud that God had chosen them. Not only did they become proud, but they began to despise non-Jews. Their pride became centered on the rite of circumcision. It is true that God had ordained circumcision through Abraham. But the Jews began to glory in the fact of circumcision rather than in God who had commanded it. In this way they reduced God’s ordinance to the level of human custom. Paul indicates this when he reminds his readers that circumcision is “ in the flesh, made by hands” (NIV, “done in the body by the hands of men”). Elsewhere, Scripture emphasizes that what God is really looking for is not a change in physical appearance, but a change in heart. It says: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29 NIV) We all need to ask ourselves whether we are alienating people from God by placing undue emphasis on external and physical things rather than on a changed heart.

A second barrier faced by non-Jewish people is that they were separate from Christ. In one sense this is true of everyone who has not yet accepted Christ as their Savior. But for the non-Jew this is doubly so. He is not only spiritually separate from Christ, but racially as well. Jesus Christ was born into the Jewish race. Scripture says: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV) And Jesus himself said, “…salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22 NIV) The non-Jew must overcome his own racial pride in order to come to Christ.

Non-Jewish people were confronted with yet another difficulty. Paul writes that they were “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel” (NIV, “excluded from citizenship in Israel”). This should be taken not only in the sense of the physical nation of Israel but, more importantly, to illustrate a spiritual reality. The fact is that God had chosen the Jews to be His people. For example, God told them through the prophet Amos, “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth…” (Amos 3:2 NIV) Unless they were willing to convert to Judaism the non-Jewish peoples could not participate in that special relationship.

The next disadvantage of the non-Jewish people which Paul lists is that they were unacquainted with the covenants of promise. There are at least two reasons why non-Jewish peoples were unacquainted with God’s promises. The first is that they did not remember God’s word. While Adam and Eve were still in the Garden of Eden, God promised that a Savior would one day come from Eve’s line. Yet, only the Jewish people preserved what God had said. This may be one reason why God later chose them above all other families as His own. Until the coming of Christ, it was the Jews alone who preserved, protected and passed on the holy words which God had revealed. And this brings us to the second reason why the non-Jewish people were unacquainted with the promises. Jesus said, “…I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.” (Luke 19:26 NIV) In accordance with this principle, God stopped revealing His promises to those who did not preserve His word and revealed more to those who did. God let the non-Jewish peoples go their own way while He entered into a covenant relationship with the Jews.

It follows that when someone is unacquainted with God’s word, and therefore does not know of God’s promise of a Savior, that he is without true hope. As scripture says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NIV) Mankind has embraced all kinds of philosophies and religions in an attempt to find some sort of meaning in life. None of them can provide hope because they are not based on the truth. Only God’s holy word, which was revealed through the Jewish people, and which they preserved, points to the Savior.

Paul summarizes the plight of non-Jewish peoples when he writes that they were “without God in the world.” It has been the history of mankind to turn away from God, to forget His word and to grope in the darkness without hope and without direction.

If this were the end of the story it would be cause for despair. The Gentile world was trapped in spiritual death with no visible means of escape. But God in His mercy did not leave it there. As the Apostle Paul writes in verse 13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.” It is through Jesus that God gives all of us, including the non-Jew the opportunity to be reconciled to Himself. It is Jesus who breaks down the prejudice and racial barriers which prevent us from approaching God. It is Jesus who is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. The question is whether we are willing to accept the sacrifice of his blood which He made on our behalf.

In the first 3 verses of chapter 2 of his inspired letter to the Ephesian Christians, Paul states that we all die spiritually because of our sin. Our sin makes us the natural objects of God’s wrath. But God was not content to leave us in a dead state. In verses 4 and 5 Paul writes, “ But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

There are several things worth noting in these verses. One is that even though we sinners deserve God’s wrath, He does not want to subject us to it. He loves us even though we have sinned against Him. As He said through the prophet Ezekiel, “…I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” (Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)

Secondly, it is God who made us alive. It was not something which we were able to accomplish by ourselves.

Thirdly, God made us alive with Christ. Sin must always be paid for. Christ the innocent, took on the penalty of us who were guilty. God cannot, and will not, grant us a new spiritual life until we accept the payment Christ made on our behalf. As Scripture says, “…For if we died with him, we will also live with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11 NIV)

Fourthly, we do not deserve the life that God gives. It is only through His mercy and grace that He made us alive.

God has done more for those who follow Christ than give them new spiritual life. In verses 6 and 7 Paul writes, “and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;” God not only gives new spiritual life to those who were dead because of their sin, He honors and exalts them with the same honor He has given Christ. In chapter 1, verse 20 Paul had written that God “made him [that is, Christ] to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places.” Here Paul writes that those to whom God has given new life are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Paul writes as if this honor is an accomplished fact. This is not a promise to which the followers of Christ look forward, but it is their present condition. This world often looks down on and dishonors those who follow Christ. But in reality God has given them the highest honor.

Paul also speaks of the future when he writes about the grace God will show Christ’s followers “in the ages to come .” The Apostle John also writes about this grace. He says, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.” (1 John 3:2 NIV) God not only resurrects the followers of Christ from spiritual death, but is in the process of transforming them to become like Himself.

In verses 8 through 10, the Apostle Paul goes on to tell us by what means God saves those follow Christ. He writes, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”

Paul says that God saves us through His grace. From this we can see that God is not obligated to save us. Salvation is undeserved. God saves because He wishes to, not because He must. But while salvation is both initiated and provided by God, salvation is also dependent upon each one of us. Paul writes that we have been saved through faith. The implication is clear: It is only those who believe who are saved. If I refuse to believe, I will not be saved. Even faith, however, is not self-generated. It is God who enables us to believe as Paul says in verse 8, “…and that not of yourselves…” In another place Paul wrote “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) This is why Paul calls salvation a gift. Both the opportunity for salvation and the ability to accept it come from God. It is truly a gift for we also have the choice to accept or reject it.

But why must we accept salvation as a gift? Can we not perform meritorious acts which will earn salvation? No. Paul makes it clear that God does not accept man’s works. This is an important concept to understand. Many people have the idea that they can do certain works or acts which will counterbalance or wipe out any sin they may have committed. But this concept is wrong. We can never wipe out sin or earn salvation by what we do. If we do good, we have only done what God expects us to do. We can never place God under obligation to us. Jesus explained it to his disciples this way, “But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table,’ and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not. Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10 NIV)

Another reason God will not accept man’s work is that He does not want people to boast. God wishes us to come to Him in humility. He wants us to rely on Him and not our own efforts. In another place Scripture says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10 NIV)

If our own good works will not save us, then are we excused from doing them? Not at all. Paul makes it very clear that the followers of Christ are God’s workmanship, created to do good works which God has prepared in advance. The word translated ‘workmanship’ actually expresses the idea of a work of art or a masterpiece. By looking at a work of art one should be able to recognize the artist. The follower of Christ does good works not as a means to obtain salvation but as a manifestation of it. He is in the process of becoming like God. Each one of us needs to examine why we do good works. Are we trying to earn salvation? Or do we do them because we are like the One who gave us life us through Christ?

The Apostle Paul concluded the first chapter of his inspired letter to the Ephesians by expressing how mighty and exalted Jesus Christ is. God has placed everything and everyone under His authority. But while Christ is exalted above everyone, what is the status of the people to whom Paul is writing? In chapter 2, verses 1 through 3 he says: “You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

The previous condition of the Gentile people to whom Paul is writing was that they were dead. He does not mean that these people were dead physically because in the next verse he makes it clear that they were dead while they were following the ways of this world. The death that Paul is talking about is spiritual death. What caused this death? Paul writes that it was their own transgressions and sins. This agrees with what Scripture says elsewhere, “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

Paul goes on to specify what the sin was. It was following “the course of this world.” The Apostle John explains what this means in greater detail. He writes, “Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NIV) It is because these people chose to follow man’s cravings, lust and boasting rather than love God, that they died spiritually.

But this is not the only reason they died. Not only did they turn their backs on God but they chose to follow someone else. Paul calls this being “the prince of the power of the air” (NIV, “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”). It is not entirely clear what this phrase means, but by considering some of the properties of air we can, perhaps, make a good guess. Air is necessary for man to live. Man can live without a great many things, but air is not one of them. Perhaps Paul is emphasizing that wherever man may live, without exception, this being is also present. In this life there is no place where man may go to escape the influence of this being. Air is also, for the most part, invisible. We know it only by observing its effects. In the same way we cannot directly observe this being. We can only observe his influence upon us and others. Paul identifies this “prince of the power of the air” as a spirit who is working in those who are disobedient. Wherever we see disobedience to God and His plan at work, we may be sure that we are seeing the effects of this spirit. It may be that Paul is using the word ‘air’ as a synonym for the attitude of disobedience. In any case, it is safe to say that this ruler is the same being that the Apostle John calls the “prince of this world,” that is the devil. (See John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)

It is not only the Gentile people who were dead in their transgressions and sins. In verse 3, the Apostle Paul includes himself and the Jewish people as well when he says, “we also.” Racial heritage is not enough to save anyone. Those who choose to follow the ways of the world are spiritually dead regardless of their genealogy.

There is another similarity between the Jewish and non-Jewish peoples. Paul writes, “…[we] were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Verse 3) The phrase ‘by nature’ requires some explaining. There are some who believe that mankind was created with an evil nature. But this cannot be true for Scripture says, “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 NIV) Obviously, if God declared man to be ‘very good’ then he was not created with an evil nature.

Other people believe that mankind was good and pure when created but that we all inherit Adam’s sin. It is true that physical death came to mankind as a consequence of Adam’s sin, but spiritual guilt is not inherited. Scripture is very clear that each individual pays the spiritual consequences for his or her own decisions and actions. For example, it was revealed through the prophet Ezekiel, “…the soul who sins, he shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20 NIV)

If man was not created evil and he does not inherit guilt, then what does Paul mean? He can only mean that the nature of a person somehow becomes changed in order to make us ‘a child of wrath.’ What is the agent of this change? It is our own sin. In verse 1 Paul said that it was the transgressions and sins of the Gentile peoples which had caused them to die spiritually, and in verse three he included the Jewish people when he said that they followed their own fleshly desires. When we sin, it changes our nature. It transforms us from something which God had declared ‘very good’ into something which by its very nature is subject to God’s wrath. The expression Paul uses, ‘children of wrath’ is a figure of speech meaning someone who deserves God’s wrath. People do not suffer God’s displeasure or judgment because of what someone else did or because they have chanced to be born into Adam’s race, but because they themselves deserve it. When we sin, we die spiritually and expose ourselves to God’s righteous judgment.

If, as Paul says, both Jews and Gentiles have become corrupt in nature and deserve God’s wrath then is there no hope? Indeed there is. In verses 4 and 5 Paul writes, “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

A great deal could be said about what Paul has written in these verses. But the key thing to note is that life is not self-generated. We all were spiritually dead because of our sin. If we are now alive, it is because God has made us alive.

In his inspired letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul had prayed that they would know God’s power for those who believe. In verses 19 through 23 of chapter one he continues by saying, “according to that working of the strength of his might which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

There are many times when we feel helpless in the face of life’s problems and difficulties. But Paul assures the followers of Christ that the same power which raised Christ from the dead is also available to them. Notice, however, that one cannot be raised unless one has first died. This is one of the most important principles of Christianity. God will not exert His power on our behalf until we are willing to let go, to give up, to set ourselves aside. Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.” (John 12:24-25 NIV) If we want to experience the power of the resurrection, we must first die. In another place Scripture says, “…don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;” (Romans 6:3-5 NIV) It is this power to live a new life which Paul wishes his readers to experience. He will discuss this further in chapter 2.

God not only raised Christ from the dead, He also exalted Him. When Paul says that God seated Christ at His right hand, he is referring to Psalm 110. There God spoke through the prophet David, “Yahweh [that is, the Lord] says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.”” (Psalm 110:1 NIV) The figure of speech, ‘to sit at the right hand’ means to exercise power and authority on behalf of the person referred to. It is also a place of honor. Therefore when we say that Christ is at God’s right hand, we mean that God has honored Him and that He is exercising power and authority on God’s behalf.

The place of Christ’s exaltation is in the ‘heavenly places.’ Christ has not only been given power over those on earth, but over angels and whatever other heavenly beings there may be. His authority extends over all.

How much honor and power has Christ been given? Paul writes that it is “far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion .” Another Scripture explains it this way: “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-28 NIV)

Not only has Christ been given supreme authority, but He has also been raised far above “every name that is named .” As Paul explains in another place, Christ was given this honor because He willingly humbled Himself. “Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)

From this we learn that any philosophy or any religion which gives a higher place or name to any person or to anything than that which was given to Christ is false. It is an attempt to discredit the name which God has given Him and an attempt to usurp His authority.

Some people would say that this might have been true at one time, but that God has since abrogated it with a further revelation. But Paul makes it very clear that this is not so when he writes that Christ’s name is exalted, “not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.” (verse 21) The meaning is that Christ has been exalted above every name not only during the present time, but also for all future time.

Paul reinforces what he has said about Christ’s authority by writing, “He [that is, God] put all things in subjection under his feet …” (Verse 22) This is a quotation from Psalm 8 which says, “You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:” (Psalm 8:6 NIV)

Having established that Christ’s authority is supreme, Paul now turns to one specific area of his supremacy– Christ has been appointed “to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body .” Here Paul is not referring to a particular congregation but rather to the sum total of the followers of Christ. The church is identified metaphorically as Christ’s body with Christ as the head. This concept will be repeated and expanded later on in this letter.

Paul’s next statement is quite puzzling when he says that the church is Christ’s fullness. Perhaps it can be explained by saying that just as the church is nothing without Christ, so Christ is fully glorified only in the church.

In his inspired letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul is writing from the perspective of a Jew – one of God’s chosen people. He is writing, however, to non-Jewish people and he wants them to understand the magnitude of what God has done for them through Christ. From that perspective, when Paul thinks about God’s great plan to include the Gentile peoples in His scheme of redemption, he is overcome by wonder. He breaks out in thanks to God and then offers up a prayer for those to whom he is writing. In chapter 1, verses 15 through 19 he writes, “For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe…”

Paul begins his prayer by giving thanks. When one studies Scripture, he finds that there is a close relationship between prayer and thanksgiving. For example it says, “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NIV) It would probably be accurate to say that one of the main reasons God sometimes does not answer prayer is because it is not accompanied by thanksgiving. In view of the command to pray continually, it is interesting to note that Paul writes he does not “cease to give thanks.” Another reason our prayers are not answered is that we often give up too easily.

In regard to the people to whom he is writing, Paul is thankful for two things, that is, their faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. As we shall see, he goes on to pray that they will also have hope. The quality and maturity of anyone’s relationship with God may be judged by these three characteristics, that is, by how much faith, hope and love they possess. Time and again, these three traits are mentioned in Scripture. They are the key to measuring spiritual progress. For example, after writing about various spiritual gifts to the church at Corinth, Paul writes, “But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV) It is worth noting that, many years after this letter was written to the Ephesians, the church at Ephesus was rebuked because in their zeal to maintain a pure faith they had lost their love. Scripture records the words of Christ to this church as follows: “I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can’t tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false… But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent….” (Revelation 2:2, 4-5 NIV)

Paul continues his prayer for the Ephesians by asking God for two things. The first is that he would give them “a spirit of wisdom and revelation.” It is possible that Paul is referring to the special gifts of the Holy Spirit which were given to selected Christians by the laying on of the Apostle’s hands before the completion of the New Testament Scriptures. Both wisdom and prophecy are mentioned in the list of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. But it is more likely that Paul is praying not about the gifts but the role God’s Spirit should have in the life of every follower of Christ. He had already said in verse 14 that the Spirit is a down payment toward redemption. Here the role of the Spirit is to grant wisdom and a knowledge of God’s will. Indeed the goal of Paul’s prayer is, that they would know Him better. Scripture describes this role of the Spirit elsewhere when it says, “…For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God..” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12 NIV)

The second thing which Paul prays for is “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” There are three reasons why Paul wishes them to be enlightened: That they may know hope; that they may know the riches of God’s inheritance, and they may know God’s power. The person without Christ lives in a state of hopelessness, for as Paul says later in this letter they are ‘dead’ in their sins. But when they respond to God’s call, they can live in hope because they can look forward to receiving an eternal inheritance.

But it is not only the follower of Christ who receives an inheritance. God considers the Christian to be His own inheritance. In God’s sight the follower of Christ has a tremendous value. Paul wants those to whom he writing to recognize their worth.

God’s Spirit not only gives the follower of Christ hope and an appreciation of his worth in God’s sight, but also power. Though Paul is writing to those who have already accepted Christ, he reinforces what he is saying by explicitly writing that this power is for those who believe. The kind of power that Paul is writing about is not political or military, but the power to live a righteous and holy life.

At the beginning of his inspired letter to the people of Ephesus, the Apostle Paul recounts many of the blessings which the followers of Christ enjoy. In verses 11 through 14 he continues by writing, “in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.”

In verse 9 Paul mentioned the mystery of God’s will which has been made known to Christ’s followers. In verse 11 Paul describes another aspect of God’s will. It is not based on whim but is proceeding according to purpose. What is this purpose? In verse 5 Paul stated that God has predestined the followers of Christ to be adopted as his sons. Here he writes that they are assigned a foreordained inheritance. However, this phrase can just as well be translated to say that the followers of Christ are predestined to be God’s inheritance.

How can someone be God’s inheritance? An inheritance is given only when a person dies. Therefore, someone had to die in order for this inheritance to be given. Notice that Paul says that it takes place in Christ. In another place Scripture says, “You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him…” (Colossians 1:21-22 NIV) Christ presents to God those whom He has made holy through His own death and in this way Christ’s followers become God’s inheritance.

In verse 12 Paul mentions “we who had before hoped in Christ.” This is a reference to the Jewish people because the first people to accept Christ as their Lord were Jews. But salvation is not restricted to the Jewish people. In verse 13 Paul includes the non-Jewish people to whom he is writing when he says, “you also.”

But how were the non-Jewish peoples included in God’s inheritance? Paul writes it was, “having heard the word of the truth…” Paul then defines the “word of truth” as “the Good News of your salvation.” If we want salvation then we must hear the gospel. What is the gospel? In another place Paul explains that the gospel is “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV)

Hearing means a great deal more than just sounds reaching someone’s ears. If merely hearing the truth about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection were enough to save someone, then perhaps the majority of mankind would be saved. But in Scripture ‘hearing’ also implies taking action on what is heard. For example it says, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.” (Hebrews 4:2 NIV) It is only when what is heard produces faith that the ‘word of truth’ causes people to be saved. Paul makes it clear that the people to whom he is writing not only heard, but also believed. It was because their hearing of the ‘word of truth’ was effective that it became the “the Good News of your salvation.”

But how can one know that he is saved? The answer is that God, in fulfillment of His promise, gives his Holy Spirit to the followers of Christ. The gift of the Holy Spirit fulfills the promise that God made to Abraham that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him. (See Genesis 12:1-3) Scripture says Christ redeemed us, “that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14 NIV) God promised His Spirit again through the prophet Joel. “…I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh… It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh [that is, the Lord] shall be saved…” (Joel 2:28, 32 NIV) God reaffirmed this promise through the Apostle Peter when he said, “For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” (Acts 2:39 NIV)

Paul mentions two purposes or functions of the Spirit. The first is that the Spirit is a witness to the world that a follower of Christ belongs to God. Paul writes that they are “sealed.” Just as an owner puts his seal on something to mark it so the everyone will know that it belongs to him, God puts His seal on the Christian. The Christian is stamped with the mark of his owner. God’s Spirit will mold the follower of Christ until he takes on the character of Christ. When is the seal of the Spirit applied? Scripture seems to indicate that it occurs when a person is baptized into Christ. For example, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV)

Paul writes that a second purpose or function of God’s Spirit is to act as a down payment securing the inheritance, that is redemption, which God’s people will receive. Verse 11 stated that Christians are God’s inheritance. The Christian inherits redemption, God inherits the Christian! In one sense, as Paul indicated in verse 7, redemption is an accomplished fact because Christ has already paid the price necessary to redeem us. But in another sense redemption will not be completed until the followers of Christ receive their reward in heaven. God’s Spirit is the guarantee that the reward will be given. These two functions of God’s Spirit are reaffirmed in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.” (NIV)

When the follower of Christ realizes what God has done for him, it should result in praise. While recounting these blessings, Paul mentions this three times. In verse 6 it says, “to the praise of the glory of his grace…” in verse 12, “…we should be to the praise of his glory” and in verse 14, “…to the praise of his glory.” If our lives do not praise God or cause others to praise God then we need to ask the question, “Do I belong to Christ?”

The apostle Paul begins his inspired letter to the Ephesians by recounting some of the spiritual blessings that belong to those who follow Christ. In chapter 1, verses 7 through 10 he writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

In verse 6 Paul had mentioned that God freely gives grace to the followers of Christ. In verse 7 he speaks of the riches of God’s grace. Grace can be defined as an undeserved gift. What is this valuable undeserved gift which Paul mentions? In verse 7 he tells us that it is redemption. But what does redemption mean? In this verse it is defined as “the forgiveness of sins.” But forgiveness is not something which God gives arbitrarily. Forgiveness is “in him.” This refers back to verse 6 in which Christ is called the Beloved. And this forgiveness which comes in Christ is not without cost. Paul reminds us that it is “through his blood” that we have it. Forgiveness is given by means of the blood of Christ, which he sacrificed on our behalf, and is for those in Christ, that is those who have accepted Christ as their Lord.

There are two other characteristics of the grace, or undeserved gift of redemption, which the followers of Christ enjoy which are mentioned in verse 9. One is that God has lavished it on us. This means that it is not given begrudgingly, nor are the followers of Christ forgiven for only a few sins. No, God’s gift is sufficient to cover every need for forgiveness. There is nothing that the blood of Christ is insufficient to pay for.

The second characteristic of God’s grace is that he has given it to us with “all wisdom and understanding.” This is an important point for the world either does not understand, or else mocks the idea, that Christ’s sacrifice of his life is necessary for the sins of mankind to be forgiven. In another place Paul has written, “…Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-25 NIV) Though from a human point of view God’s plan of redemption may look unnecessary or even foolish, who are we to pass judgment on God? Even if God’s method of redemption were foolish, the really foolish thing would be for us to reject it. For if we reject God’s gracious gift, then how will we find forgiveness for our sin?

God has not only lavished his grace on the followers of Christ, but in verse 9 Paul says that God has made “the mystery of his will” known to them. There are many people who do not know what God’s will is. They do not know if God has a plan and, if so, what their place in that plan might be. But God has revealed his will to the followers of Christ. Verse 10 tells us what that will is. It is “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” It is God’s will that everything and every person, no matter what or who they might be, whether they are some spiritual being or live here on the earth, be under the lordship and authority of Christ. For the Christian this means more than merely acknowledging Jesus’ authority over us, but it also means becoming like him. Scripture says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV) We are in God’s will to the extent that we are like Jesus. If we are not like Christ, then we have not yet fulfilled God’s will.

There is another aspect to God’s will. When we look about us we see that the world has been torn apart by sin. People are divided from one another by faction, hatred, jealousy, pride, nationalism and racism. Not only mankind, but all of creation has been affected by sin and is at war with itself. But this was not God’s intention. Paul clearly states that it is God’s will “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together.” It is only when people come together in Christ that there can be reconciliation and peace. As it says in another scripture, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20 NIV) Just as people are reconciled both to God and one another when they give themselves to Christ, all of creation will also find peace when all things are brought under him. In another place it is written, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:20-21 NIV) True peace, true freedom and true reconciliation can only be obtained in Christ.

But when will everything be brought under Christ? Though the follower of Christ experiences peace and reconciliation now, God’s will that everything come under Christ will come into full effect only “when the times will have reached their fulfillment.” What does the word “times” refer to? It refers to distinct eras of God’s revelation of his will. In the Patriarchal age, God chose to reveal his will directly to the heads of chosen families such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the age of Law, God chose to reveal his will through a chosen nation, that is the nation of Israel, with the help of prophets like Moses and through the written Word. In the Christian age, God has revealed himself in the Person of Jesus Christ. When the Christian age draws to a close, Christ will come to earth again and all things, whether on earth or in heaven, will be brought under him.

If we received a letter from someone in prison, we might expect to read complaints about the harsh treatment they are experiencing or to read words of anger and bitterness. But in his inspired letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul, after greeting those to whom he is writing, bursts forth in praise to God! In chapter 1, verse 3 he writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;”

From this we learn that no matter what our physical circumstances may be, if we are in Christ, we are very blessed. It is true that God often blesses his people with material or physical blessings. But material blessings can be destroyed or taken away. Of far more importance are spiritual blessings. As the apostle Peter wrote we are receiving “…an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:4-5 NIV)

But while Peter looks forward in time to the heaven which is the place where God dwells and where there is no evil, Paul is talking about more than this. He uses the plural “heavenly places.” No evil can touch the place where God dwells. But there are other spiritual realms where the battle for men’s souls is being fought. Though chapter 1, verse 20 states that God is present in the heavenly places, according to chapter 6, verse 12 spiritual forces of evil are also there. But those who follow Christ are blessed in spite of the war being waged against them.

What are the blessings that the followers of Christ enjoy? In verses 4 through 6 Paul writes: “…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved, in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…”

The first blessing Paul mentions which the followers of Christ enjoy is that God has chosen us in Christ before the creation of the world. This is a great comfort. Many people spend their lives in doubt wondering whether God will accept them. They think that if they can only do enough good deeds, perhaps they can earn the privilege of coming into God’s presence. But the follower of Christ does not need to worry like this. In 1 Peter, chapter 1, verse 20, the apostle Peter wrote that our redeemer, that is Christ, has been chosen from before the creation of the world. Just as the redeemer has been chosen, so too, God has already accepted those who follow Christ even before the world was created.

But chosen for what? Paul says that the follower of Christ is chosen to be holy and without blemish. These qualities are not a condition for being chosen but the result of being chosen. They are not something we generate by our own efforts but come from being in Christ. This agrees with what scripture says elsewhere. For example Hebrews chapter 13, verse 12 says, “Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside of the gate.” (NIV) What it is impossible for us to do on our own God, through Christ has done for us. Paul will return to this theme in chapter 2 of this letter.

Also notice that there is a close relationship between holiness, blamelessness and love. This is appropriate because it was God’s love for us which prompted him to make it possible for us to be holy and blameless. This in turn should cause us to love as well. Scripture says: “ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11 NIV)

The next blessing that Paul mentions is that God predestined the followers of Christ to be adopted as his sons. This adoption is “according to the good pleasure of his desire.” God does not adopt the followers of Christ out of some sort of obligation but because he desires to. This also demonstrates that God does not merely want us as his servants, but wishes to have a family relationship with us. In his letter to the followers of Christ at Rome, Paul explained it this way, “For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;” (Romans 8:15-16 NIV) But notice that it is through Jesus Christ that God adopts us as sons. Unless we put our faith in Christ, God will never grant us the privilege of being in his family.

We have already seen how God has chosen the followers of Christ before the creation of the world, and here we see that God has predestined Christ’s followers to be adopted. This requires some explanation. Many people have the concept that God has already determined the course of everyone’s life. Every action is already “written.” But this is not what Paul is saying. In another place Paul explains that it is on the basis of God’s foreknowledge of the choices everyone will freely make that he has predestined whether they are chosen and adopted as sons. He writes, “For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29) Yes, the destiny of each one of us has already been determined, but it is determined on the basis of what we choose. Have you chosen to obey Christ?

Paul goes on to say that God has adopted the followers of Christ so that his glorious grace might be praised. Praise is one of the natural results of being adopted. Being adopted into God’s family is called “grace” because it is not deserved. When a follower of Christ realizes the great privilege God has given him he cannot help but praise. Paul means more than this, however. Praise is not to be merely an action performed, but part of the very character of a follower of Christ. This is especially appropriate because God has given his grace freely. Is your life a praise to God?

Paul writes that this grace was freely given “in the Beloved.” This is a reference to Christ. God loves Christ so much, that if we belong to Him God will accept us as well. The question is whether we belong to Christ.

At one time or another almost everyone asks the questions, “Why did God create the world? What is his purpose for mankind? Can we know God’s plan?” Since these questions are about God, who is infinite and eternal, the answer can only be given through a revelation from God. God has revealed his purpose and plan to mankind in the Bible. In order to understand God’s plan in full it is very important to study the entire Bible. The most concise overview of the plan, however, is found in the portion of the Bible which is an inspired letter written to the Christians in the city of Ephesus.

The letter begins with these words: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God,
to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:1-2)

Who is this Paul? His birth name was Saul. At first, he was a very zealous and devout Jew. He describes himself as, “…circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.” (Philippians 3:5-6 NIV) Saul was fanatical in his opposition to the followers of Christ. He said, “I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9-11 NIV)

But then, the resurrected Jesus revealed himself to Saul. This encounter convinced Saul that his view of Jesus was wrong and under the new name of Paul he devoted the rest of his life, in spite of tremendous hardships and opposition, to spreading the faith he had once tried to destroy.

But if Paul wrote this letter then how can we say that it is inspired? The answer is that Paul is not writing on his own authority but as an apostle of Christ Jesus. The basic meaning of the word “apostle” is “one who is sent.” In other words, when Paul writes that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus, he is saying that it is Christ who has sent him. In another place Paul writes, “We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV) When we read this letter, we are not merely reading the words of Paul, but the words of Christ revealed through Paul. It is also worth noting that Paul did not assume the role of apostle on his own. He makes it clear that he is Christ’s apostle “through the will of God.” (Verse 1) This letter is in reality a divine message.

If Christ appointed Paul to be his apostle, then to whom was he sent? In chapter 3, verses 1 and 8 of this letter and in many other places in scripture Paul makes it clear that Christ sent him primarily to the Gentiles, that is those who do not come from a Jewish background. There are some portions of scripture which are written primarily to Jewish followers of Christ. But the letter to the Ephesians is written with a vocabulary and expressions which are particularly suitable for those who have a non-Jewish background.

Paul addresses this letter to the “saints.” Paul is not referring to some heavenly beings or to people who have done special acts of merit. This is clear from what Jesus said to Paul. “…I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:17-18 NIV) From this it is obvious that by the word “saints” Paul means Christians. But Paul is not writing to those who are Christians in name only. He also calls them “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 1) This letter is not written to those who have the name but do not live the life. This letter discloses God’s plan. But you cannot participate in God’s plan unless you are fully committed to Jesus Christ. Notice also, that Paul concludes his greeting by wishing grace and peace to those who know God as their Father and Jesus as their Lord. So – the question is: Are you living your life for Christ so that you may know that grace and peace?

Paul is writing to the saints in Ephesus. Ephesus was the principle city in the Roman province of Asia which is located on the west coast of the present country of Turkey. But this raises a question. The book of Acts relates how Paul spent over two years preaching and teaching with great success in Ephesus (see Acts 19). Yet in this letter, Paul does not seem to personally know any of the people to whom he is writing. The most likely answer is that Paul intended this letter to circulate among many churches. In Colossians 4:16 the Christians in the city of Colosse are instructed to also read the letter from the city of Laodicea. Though our Bible does not contain a book called “Laodiceans” one very ancient writer says that this letter which we call “Ephesians” was written to those living in Laodicea. So, it is reasonable to assume that while this letter bears the name of the most important city in the province of Asia, Paul actually wrote it to the Christians in the entire province, most of whom he had never met in person.

This letter was written while Paul was in prison. It is possible that it was written during the two years Paul spent in prison at Caesarea (see Acts 24:27) but it is more likely that it was written while Paul was captive in Rome. Church tradition also supports the view that Paul was in Rome when this letter was written. Though it is impossible to determine exactly when the letter was written, it was most probably before the first letter to Timothy.