A study in Ephesians
Ephesians 1: 20 - 2:8
Chapter 1
20 Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right
hand in the heavenly places. 21 Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. 22 And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church, 23 Which is his body, and the fullness of him who is filled all in all.
Chapter 2
1 And you, when you were dead in your offences, and sins, 2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now works on the children of unbelief: 3 In which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:
4 But God, (who is rich in mercy,) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,) 6 And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus. 7 That he might show in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God.
My Friends;
Verse 21 shows us the power and the glory of Jesus the Christ. Principality, power, virtue (some translations say 'might’), and dominion are orders of Angelic beings. Jesus the Christ is above all and as His Church; the Bride of Christ, the Body as he is the Head, we share in His glory. The church, those who are true to Him shall become the ultimate masterpiece of creation.
In chapter two, in these first few verses we see the war in which we are engaged. This is a spiritual warfare and each opposing side requires our obedience, we must choose one or the other, one side to eternal damnation, the other side to eternal glory. Neither side forces us, Satan is a created being, he is the Prince of the Air; he is neither of the earth nor of heaven and he has no authority to force us into sin which is anything that opposes the will of Almighty God for us. On the other hand; Almighty God who has all power will not force us because again he gives us a choice. The kingdom of heaven will be filled with those who love God with their heart and it is their heart’s desire to spend eternity with Him in love and worship.
The war comes because we in the flesh have such a propensity for sin; lust, power, greed, and pride are of the flesh and of the mind, we are weak in the face of temptation, we must earnestly pray for strength to overcome and the faith to believe. This is what is told in verse 8; For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God.
It is truly a gift, we do not earn salvation but we must accept this gift. There is action on our part, acceptance first with the faith that God’s promises are true and once accepted we then must remember this; James 2:22 Do you see that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect?
May all be blessed with the understanding of salvation, may our hearts be filled with the love of Almighty God, so filled that it becomes impossible for the works of the Lord not to be done. Grant us this faith and the perseverance needed as the times seem to be growing shorter. We must all strive for the unity that our Lord Himself prayed for; that they may be one, for it is as one voice crying in one spirit that we will find ultimate strength for the last days whenever they may come. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In Christ,
Monk Michael
Ephesians 1: 20 - 2:8
Chapter 1
20 Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right
hand in the heavenly places. 21 Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. 22 And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church, 23 Which is his body, and the fullness of him who is filled all in all.
Chapter 2
1 And you, when you were dead in your offences, and sins, 2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now works on the children of unbelief: 3 In which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:
4 But God, (who is rich in mercy,) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,) 6 And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus. 7 That he might show in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God.
My Friends;
Verse 21 shows us the power and the glory of Jesus the Christ. Principality, power, virtue (some translations say 'might’), and dominion are orders of Angelic beings. Jesus the Christ is above all and as His Church; the Bride of Christ, the Body as he is the Head, we share in His glory. The church, those who are true to Him shall become the ultimate masterpiece of creation.
In chapter two, in these first few verses we see the war in which we are engaged. This is a spiritual warfare and each opposing side requires our obedience, we must choose one or the other, one side to eternal damnation, the other side to eternal glory. Neither side forces us, Satan is a created being, he is the Prince of the Air; he is neither of the earth nor of heaven and he has no authority to force us into sin which is anything that opposes the will of Almighty God for us. On the other hand; Almighty God who has all power will not force us because again he gives us a choice. The kingdom of heaven will be filled with those who love God with their heart and it is their heart’s desire to spend eternity with Him in love and worship.
The war comes because we in the flesh have such a propensity for sin; lust, power, greed, and pride are of the flesh and of the mind, we are weak in the face of temptation, we must earnestly pray for strength to overcome and the faith to believe. This is what is told in verse 8; For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God.
It is truly a gift, we do not earn salvation but we must accept this gift. There is action on our part, acceptance first with the faith that God’s promises are true and once accepted we then must remember this; James 2:22 Do you see that faith did co-operate with his works; and by works faith was made perfect?
May all be blessed with the understanding of salvation, may our hearts be filled with the love of Almighty God, so filled that it becomes impossible for the works of the Lord not to be done. Grant us this faith and the perseverance needed as the times seem to be growing shorter. We must all strive for the unity that our Lord Himself prayed for; that they may be one, for it is as one voice crying in one spirit that we will find ultimate strength for the last days whenever they may come. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In Christ,
Monk Michael
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