October 2014

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Faith 10

Three important aspects of salvation are explained in the latter part of Ephesians 2. We have previously noted the gift of God’s grace in vs. 1-7 as the basis or motivation by God to save sinners. In vs. 8-9 we not only see God’s grace as the sole motivation unto salvation but also God given faith as the sole or only means by which God’s saving grace, and its corresponding results, are applied to the sinner.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Grace 10

Who are those identified by the word “us.” Within the context it refers to those who are dead in their trespasses and sins or those who were. Notice that the Apostle Paul includes himself in the description. The Apostle John echoes these words in I John 4:7-11.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7, ESV)

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Faith 9

Three important aspects of salvation are explained in the latter part of Ephesians 2. We have previously noted the gift of God’s grace in vs. 1-7 as the basis or motivation by God to save sinners. In vs. 8-9 we not only see God’s grace as the sole motivation unto salvation but also God given faith as the sole or only means by which God’s saving grace, and its corresponding results, are applied to the sinner.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Grace 9

The result of fallen mans bondage to the world, the devil and the flesh is he/she is an object of God’s wrath and judgment. What hope is there for anyone in this fallen condition? What hope is there for you and me?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7, ESV)

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Faith 8

Faith comes solely from God. It never originates within the sinner. Anyone who believes otherwise is misinterpreting the biblical text: not just this text but others also. Please note the following:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Grace 8

By nature means the sum of our innate properties and powers by which one person differs from others. It is our distinctive and native peculiarities along with our natural characteristics or attributes. It refers to the natural strength, ferocity, and intractability of beast-like creatures.

The result of fallen mans bondage to the world, the devil and the flesh is he/she is an object of God’s wrath and judgment. Paul indicates this in Ephesians 2:3 saying, “And were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:3, ESV)

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Faith 7

Three important aspects of salvation are explained in the latter part of Ephesians 2. We have previously noted the gift of God’s grace in vs. 1-7 as the basis or motivation by God to save sinners. In vs. 8-9 we not only see God’s grace as the sole motivation unto salvation but also God given faith as the sole or only means by which God’s saving grace, and its corresponding results, are applied to the sinner.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Grace 7

The deadened sinner is not only under the bondage of the world and the devil but also under bondage to the Flesh. Paul continues in Ephesians 2:2 by saying, “Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV).

The deadened sinner is not only under the bondage of the world and the devil but also under bondage to the Flesh. Paul continues in Ephesians 2:2 by saying, “Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV).

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Faith 6

Three important aspects of salvation are explained in the latter part of Ephesians 2. We have previously noted the gift of God’s grace in vs. 1-7 as the basis or motivation by God to save sinners. In vs. 8-9 we not only see God’s grace as the sole motivation unto salvation but also God given faith as the sole or only means by which God’s saving grace, and its corresponding results, are applied to the sinner.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Five Eternal Gifts from God - Grace 6

The deadened sinner in need of grace is under bondage to the World. “Following the course of this world …” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV). This is a life that is going along with and moving toward a pattern and practice of rebellion against God and His Word. The word “world” refers to the world system which is anti-God. It is a world system which opposes God. It is a world system of ungodly attitudes and rebellious behavior.

The deadened sinner in need of grace is under bondage to the World. “Following the course of this world …” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV). This is a life that is going along with and moving toward a pattern and practice of rebellion against God and His Word. The word “world” refers to the world system which is anti-God. It is a world system which opposes God. It is a world system of ungodly attitudes and rebellious behavior.

PLACE FOR TRUTH

A Greater Blessing and a Greater Kingdom

Reformation 21

Pleading for Sodom