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Ephesians Chapter 1-2 Continued
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Ephesians 1-2 Continued Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.
(The sealing of the Holy Spirit guarantees the benefits of our salvation, as a person might seal an envelope to guarantee its enclosure. The Holy Spirit is the seal. Illustration: The Holy Spirit as the seal to the believer is also a "down payment" of His commitment to someday give him all other things God has promised. Application: Christians should be careful to "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (4:30). First Reference, Ephesians 1:13; Primary Reference, Ephesians 4:30; cf. Hebrews 2:3.) Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
(The grace of God is the expression of His goodness toward the undeserving. Grace means unmerited favor, and can be expressed by the acrostic "Gods Riches At Christ's Expenses." This grace is the basis of our salvation (1:7; 2:8). Illustration: In salvation, men who deserve hell obtain heaven. This can not be explained apart from God's grace. Every conversation in Scripture is an example of God's grace. When Paul (Saul) met the Lord on the Damascus Road, Paul was a persecutor of the church. Yet God made him one of the church's chief preachers. Application: We need to remember that we are saved, given the Holy Spirit, and allowed to serve God-by His grace. (First Reference, Genesis 6:8; Primary Reference, Ephesians 2:8; cf. Psalm 139:1.))
(Saving faith is part of humanity's response to God in the salvation experience. It is as simple as looking to Jesus for salvation (John 3:14-16). Saving faith is both simple and complex. It is as simple as a drowning man reaching for a rope, yet at the same time it sets in motion all the judicial machinery of heaven, in keeping with the ultimate purpose of God. While believing is simple, there are some for whom it is too simple, and they find that difficult. In the Scriptures, the intensity of one's faith is not as important as its object. Often personalities differ, it is not wise to use emotions as a test of faith. Ultimately, saving faith is called "conversion." Illustration: When the Philippian jailor asked, "what must I do to be saved?" (thus reflecting a spirit of repentance), Paul and Silas responded, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30, 31) Application: To be saved a person must trust Christ alone for his salvation. (First Reference, Hebrews 11:1-4; Primary Reference, Ephesians 2:8, 9; cf. Romans 3:28.))
Well, my friends....This is the end....God Bless Your Weekend!!
Tags: About The Lord
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