Philippians 3:20 ESV
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 2:6 ESV
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:19 ESV
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Christians must live a life of dual citizenship. Like all people on earth, they enjoy the benefits of citizenship in their own country. These include identity, community, protection, and some elements of provision. Even though these are benefits worthy of our gratitude, they will come mixed with problems and failings common to anything man undertakes.
Christians are called to live with their heavenly citizenship fresh on their mind, as well. Your first thought might be of citizenship when you leave this world and enter heaven. The Bible is very clear that believing Christians enjoy this heavenly citizenship now. In fact, it says that we are currently seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Of course, this is a spiritual truth beyond our comprehension, so we will just take God at His Word.
We are citizens of heaven - "the kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ." We enjoy fellowship with our God and membership with His community - the church. God is the governing authority and the command, rule, protection and provision needed by His church is always available.
Citizenship is another way that we can understand and enjoy our relationship with God. It is one of many and brings new perspectives to us as we compare with earthly citizenship.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Showing posts with label Ephesians 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ephesians 2. Show all posts
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Security: The Good Work will be Perfected
I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.
Philippians 1:6 - ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 - ESV
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The good work is certainly God's work of grace in a believer. Actually the work begins with a non-believer, for all are dead in their trespasses and sins. Only God can start this work of grace. It is a wonderful blessing that we can be the workmanship of God, for God's work is perfect, He makes no mistakes and He leaves no job half done. The believer that understands the sinfulness of their own hearts is quick to realize that this work begun by God, must be carried on to completion by God. So we readily accept the fact that we are forever dependent on God for this good work, which is designed to bring the greatest good to our lives. God has chosen to do this work, He is more than willing and able to do it perfectly.
Let us then gladly spend time in prayer and the Word, seeking to understand our God and the work He is currently doing in our lives. May all of our thoughts, words and actions line up with God's blueprint.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Philippians 1:6 - ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 - ESV
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The good work is certainly God's work of grace in a believer. Actually the work begins with a non-believer, for all are dead in their trespasses and sins. Only God can start this work of grace. It is a wonderful blessing that we can be the workmanship of God, for God's work is perfect, He makes no mistakes and He leaves no job half done. The believer that understands the sinfulness of their own hearts is quick to realize that this work begun by God, must be carried on to completion by God. So we readily accept the fact that we are forever dependent on God for this good work, which is designed to bring the greatest good to our lives. God has chosen to do this work, He is more than willing and able to do it perfectly.
Let us then gladly spend time in prayer and the Word, seeking to understand our God and the work He is currently doing in our lives. May all of our thoughts, words and actions line up with God's blueprint.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Accepted: Direct Access to God
Direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
First we should consider the context of this verse. In this passage, Paul is talking about the fact that God was working to bring two different groups to himself. The Gentiles (those who were far off) and the Jews (those who were near). Because of God's promises to Abraham the Jews did enjoy covenant promises and blessings that the Gentiles had not yet been part of. However, in terms of righteousness, both groups were equally in need of a Savior, and both groups were to be reconciled to God the Father in the same way. That is through the blood of Jesus Christ. As God reconciled both parties to Himself, He also merged the two groups into one body - the body of Christ.
Comments from Matthew Henry on Ephesians 2:18
For through him, in his name and by virtue of his mediation, we both have access or admission into the presence of God, who has become the common reconciled Father of both: the throne of grace is erected for us to come to, and liberty of approach to that throne is allowed us. Our access is by the Holy Spirit. Christ purchased for us leave to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart to come and strength to come, even grace to serve God acceptably. Observe, We draw nigh to God, through Jesus Christ, by the help of the Spirit. The Ephesians, upon their conversion, having such an access to God, as well as the Jews, and by the same Spirit, the apostle tells them, Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners,
This passage describes the wonderful reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles and also contains truths for each believer. Through the work of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, we have access to God. More specifically we have access to God's throne of Grace. We come to God's throne to be reminded that He is sovereign, and to the throne of Grace, because that is what we desperately need. It was that very Grace that brought about our salvation, and it is the same Grace that we need every day all the time to live for His Glory. Grace is that undeserved favor, that multitude of blessings that God pours out on His children. Finally, no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit gives us the heart and the strength to approach the Father. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convince us of the Father's great love.
Believer, what will you do with this 'direct access'? Will you ignore it? forget about it? convince yourself that you do not have time for it? The 'direct access' is a gift from God to His people for a purpose. Shall we squander it today? If we get to the end of the day and have not at least once stretched our hand out to that throne of Grace, how can we believe the day has been what God intended?
God Bless You
Dennis
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
First we should consider the context of this verse. In this passage, Paul is talking about the fact that God was working to bring two different groups to himself. The Gentiles (those who were far off) and the Jews (those who were near). Because of God's promises to Abraham the Jews did enjoy covenant promises and blessings that the Gentiles had not yet been part of. However, in terms of righteousness, both groups were equally in need of a Savior, and both groups were to be reconciled to God the Father in the same way. That is through the blood of Jesus Christ. As God reconciled both parties to Himself, He also merged the two groups into one body - the body of Christ.
Comments from Matthew Henry on Ephesians 2:18
For through him, in his name and by virtue of his mediation, we both have access or admission into the presence of God, who has become the common reconciled Father of both: the throne of grace is erected for us to come to, and liberty of approach to that throne is allowed us. Our access is by the Holy Spirit. Christ purchased for us leave to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart to come and strength to come, even grace to serve God acceptably. Observe, We draw nigh to God, through Jesus Christ, by the help of the Spirit. The Ephesians, upon their conversion, having such an access to God, as well as the Jews, and by the same Spirit, the apostle tells them, Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners,
This passage describes the wonderful reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles and also contains truths for each believer. Through the work of Jesus Christ, our Mediator, we have access to God. More specifically we have access to God's throne of Grace. We come to God's throne to be reminded that He is sovereign, and to the throne of Grace, because that is what we desperately need. It was that very Grace that brought about our salvation, and it is the same Grace that we need every day all the time to live for His Glory. Grace is that undeserved favor, that multitude of blessings that God pours out on His children. Finally, no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit gives us the heart and the strength to approach the Father. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convince us of the Father's great love.
Believer, what will you do with this 'direct access'? Will you ignore it? forget about it? convince yourself that you do not have time for it? The 'direct access' is a gift from God to His people for a purpose. Shall we squander it today? If we get to the end of the day and have not at least once stretched our hand out to that throne of Grace, how can we believe the day has been what God intended?
God Bless You
Dennis
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