Brothers and Sisters,
This is a mini-study of a beautiful portion of Scripture in Ephesians 2. I focused on the word "Quickened" because it leads to many thoughts that are
precious Truths in JESUS. Take a few minutes to think about the real message of Ephesians 2 and study it further when you get a chance.
Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
It is important to note that GRACE is the beginning and the end of SALVATION. The Gospel of the Grace of God takes an ax to any possibility of spiritual pride by the believer. "Quickened" is a very interesting word that signifies immediate. Some would say there are contradictions in Ephesians 2:1-7, but that would not be true, rather a misunderstanding of how God sees HIS children. As an example, verse six speaks about HIS children sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus as if it had already happened. "Quickened" in this context also refers to a transformation to a likeness of Christ, the rebirth. Some might read this portion of Scripture and think that children of God no longer fail in the desires of the flesh or of the mind. How could we be like Christ and stumble or fail, even once? The mystery is all explained in the Gospel of God's Grace, and there is no contradiction. Our perfection is IN CHRIST, not ourselves. We have already become MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, THE BODY OF CHRIST. Perfected love, righteousness, and holiness ARE IN CHRIST, NOT OURSELVES. There is MUCH MORE in the ages to come for HIS children who will MOST CERTAINLY receive their inheritance.
God's children will be delivered from the very presence of sin and given a GLORIFIED BODY in the ages to come. This promise is so sure that it is considered DONE. Perfection of HIS children is a like promise. All of these promises WILL BE kept and performed by God, ALL THROUGH HIS GRACE. All promises of God are so SURE that they are DONE!
Apart from the BLOOD OF JESUS, all mankind are nothing and worthy only of destruction. God's Grace and Jesus Christ are the beginning of ETERNAL SALVATION.
_____________________________
Thank You JESUS!
Love In Christ,
Tom
Romans 8:1-2 NASB Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Author