Ephesians 2
February Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Read: Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible! Verses 1-10 in particular are verses I continually go to in both evangelism and discipleship. I’ve heard these verses referred to as the “universal testimony”. This is because in these verses Paul describes what it is like before we repent and believe in Christ (1-3), what God did in Christ (4-5), and what our lives are like after we truly come into a relationship with God through Jesus (6-10).
Notice also the language Paul uses, especially regarding our sin. Oftentimes I think we refer to our sin is what is wrong with us, and that is certainly true to a degree. But look at how Paul describes us: “dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked” ... “were by nature children of wrath”. This is some strong language regarding our sin.
Just as strong as our sin is, we see that God’s mercy and power to save is stronger. God saved us from our sin by giving us life in Christ. The effect of the gospel is that we are saved, not because of our own works, but Christ’s work on our behalf. The result of the gospel is that good works are evident in our lives; good works are a result of the gospel, not a means to the gospel.
How have you seen God at work in a similar way that Paul describes in verses 1-10? Take some time today to thank God for doing a work in your life that you couldn’t do on your own.
By: Graham Withers
Read: Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible! Verses 1-10 in particular are verses I continually go to in both evangelism and discipleship. I’ve heard these verses referred to as the “universal testimony”. This is because in these verses Paul describes what it is like before we repent and believe in Christ (1-3), what God did in Christ (4-5), and what our lives are like after we truly come into a relationship with God through Jesus (6-10).
Notice also the language Paul uses, especially regarding our sin. Oftentimes I think we refer to our sin is what is wrong with us, and that is certainly true to a degree. But look at how Paul describes us: “dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked” ... “were by nature children of wrath”. This is some strong language regarding our sin.
Just as strong as our sin is, we see that God’s mercy and power to save is stronger. God saved us from our sin by giving us life in Christ. The effect of the gospel is that we are saved, not because of our own works, but Christ’s work on our behalf. The result of the gospel is that good works are evident in our lives; good works are a result of the gospel, not a means to the gospel.
How have you seen God at work in a similar way that Paul describes in verses 1-10? Take some time today to thank God for doing a work in your life that you couldn’t do on your own.
By: Graham Withers
23 Comments
good stuff!!
Good truth Joey!
"Just as strong as our sin is, we see that God's mercy and power to save is stronger." This is good Graham... I've battled sin many times believing I was stronger. However, only when I totally surrendered to God whose mercy and power to save is stronger have I been able to experience life change!
Good truth Joey!
The message over the first part of this chapter on Sunday and then re-reading the entire chapter after the fact made me really reflect on my deadness before Christ. I was the prime example of what Tim was talking about with feeling enslaved to sin even though it made me feel so guilty every time after. If you've ever wondered how badly someone can get caught up in it all and how transformative the grace of God is, just look at my life. I have linked a testimony I recorded a couple months after I met Jesus that I hope will encourage you all this Monday morning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPL7vw2e2tU&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=JordanHampton
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Thank you so much! for sharing this Jordan! God touches our hearts and He has today again and again...Wow.
All I can think of is this ..."Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34) I can say the same for me... When I was enslaved to sin I was just in so much fear and confusion and doubt. But when I submit daily and take up my cross and follow Jesus every day, every hour, every minute, and every second, etc...The flesh fails me yet the Holy Spirit in us is so powerful that it's so hard to comprehend yet it is so beautiful that we have a God who goes before us, behind us, and all around us and tells us that He is in control of everything. NOT ME... It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me! I am encouraged to hear your testimony my Jordan, my fellow brother in Christ.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
The bigger the mess the more God is glorified when He cleans it up! So grateful for the work He has done in your life. Thanks for sharing Jordan.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Thank you so much! for sharing this Jordan! God touches our hearts and He has today again and again...Wow.
All I can think of is this ..."Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34) I can say the same for me... When I was enslaved to sin I was just in so much fear and confusion and doubt. But when I submit daily and take up my cross and follow Jesus every day, every hour, every minute, and every second, etc...The flesh fails me yet the Holy Spirit in us is so powerful that it's so hard to comprehend yet it is so beautiful that we have a God who goes before us, behind us, and all around us and tells us that He is in control of everything. NOT ME... It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me! I am encouraged to hear your testimony my Jordan, my fellow brother in Christ.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Thanks for sharing Jordan!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Thank you so much! for sharing this Jordan! God touches our hearts and He has today again and again...Wow.
All I can think of is this ..."Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34) I can say the same for me... When I was enslaved to sin I was just in so much fear and confusion and doubt. But when I submit daily and take up my cross and follow Jesus every day, every hour, every minute, and every second, etc...The flesh fails me yet the Holy Spirit in us is so powerful that it's so hard to comprehend yet it is so beautiful that we have a God who goes before us, behind us, and all around us and tells us that He is in control of everything. NOT ME... It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me! I am encouraged to hear your testimony my Jordan, my fellow brother in Christ.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
The bigger the mess the more God is glorified when He cleans it up! So grateful for the work He has done in your life. Thanks for sharing Jordan.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Thank you so much! for sharing this Jordan! God touches our hearts and He has today again and again...Wow.
All I can think of is this ..."Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34) I can say the same for me... When I was enslaved to sin I was just in so much fear and confusion and doubt. But when I submit daily and take up my cross and follow Jesus every day, every hour, every minute, and every second, etc...The flesh fails me yet the Holy Spirit in us is so powerful that it's so hard to comprehend yet it is so beautiful that we have a God who goes before us, behind us, and all around us and tells us that He is in control of everything. NOT ME... It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me! I am encouraged to hear your testimony my Jordan, my fellow brother in Christ.
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Encouraging Adrian!
Jordan, thanks so much for sharing this link and your story. It's powerful to hear about the life change God brought about in you.
Hey Graham! I share your affinity for Ephesians chapter 2. It's a great chapter to use for explaining the gospel and the grace we've been given thru Christ.
"He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us."
I love the later part of verse 14. The imagery of our sin creating a "wall of hostility" separating us from God is powerful. Through faith, grace, and mercy the wall is forever broken for the man who places his trust in Jesus Christ. Amen! Thanks for the good word today Graham.
Good stuff Mike!
"...brought near by the blood of Christ." (v.13)
Your relationship with God is never on shakey ground with Christ as your foundation.
Love that Korbet!
Ephesians 2 is a fantastic part of God's word. Its a wonderful thing to be made alive, and to see how God works in the lives of others he has made alive.
"But God..." that's my favorite part! We were dead, BUT GOD stepped down and made us alive! So thankful! During the sermon yesterday, I kept hearing this song in my head by Big Daddy Weave, "Alive". I have pasted the link below. In the chorus it repeats the words "But God, rich in mercy, came down to save me, now I'm alive!"
https://youtu.be/zVRYIVhlkqY
That's good Emily!
Emily, thanks for sharing that song! I actually sang it in my head when I did the Bible reading but I couldn't have named it.
That's good Emily!
It's taken many years and a lot of patience on His part for God to change me into a new creature. The work continues, and I am so grateful that He never gives up on us. To Him be all the praise and glory!
Thanks Graham for your insight.
This passage gives such a sweet declaration that God did definitely love us even before we were saved! And now in Him, we're no longer strangers and foreigners - now we're included, we're His beloved, and we really BELONG.
Awesome truths Naomi!
"The result of the gospel is that good works are evident in our lives; good works are a result of the gospel, not a means to the gospel."
What a great reminder. I feel like we keep coming back to this in one way or another at CPC. We talked about legalism a few months ago, we spoke of works within the last couple of weeks. I think God wants me to dwell on the saving work of Jesus, not what I myself can do or have done. What I do is nothing without Jesus. Because of the life, death, resurrection of Jesus, and the salvation I have received through that, he has given me any ability I have, and any of my good works are a product of that salvation. Very encouraging today, Graham! Thanks!
Some challenging but great truths to strive for!
I took some time to look up the meaning of corner stone, in biblical times it was essential and pertinent to the understanding that he would say this, because it is the supreme foundation of any building. And we are members, joining in that building too. This is why we need unity as a church and as a people, and the Bible is clear about it!