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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Why Ephesians Chapter 2?



Some may wonder why we use the name Ephesians 2 Ministry.  Lets take a look at the entire chapter to see what it is God is wanting us to know and you will see why.

Ephesians 2
Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. This passage tells us that those of us who now trust in Christ didn't always live like we should have.  We were no different than everyone else around you who doesn't believe in anything. Something had to change.
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.Mercy...Meaning you didn't deserve it, and notice when it happened? While you were dead.  No need to make yourself worthy before God because it will never happen.  So then how are we saved? BY GRACE!!!
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. And then we with Christ, it isn't something everyone gets by default.
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. By GRACE and not by works.  Again there is no need to make yourself worthy of anything.  Gods word also says that no flesh is justified in his sight.  Romans 3:20  And who are we to brag (boast) about anything.  Everything belongs to God anyway.
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The LDS love to use this verse to try and justify there works doctrine.  Lets look at it closely.  WE are "God's" workmanship created in Christ Jesus.  Remember we used to be dead and now we are created "IN" Christ (2 Cor 5:14-21) to do good works.  Which came first? The works or Gods grace? And he prepares them in advance.  
One in Christ
11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. This is referring to those who were still trying to keep to the laws.

13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Again it is because of what Jesus did.  Not you or I.

 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, What happened to the LAW? In one word... GONE! Again it states that we are a NEW creation and that is why we do the good works.  The cart will never lead the horse.
16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Where did it happen? On the CROSS!!! Not in the Garden or on a stake.
17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. I know this seems redundant but yet again it states that it is through him and NOTHING we can do.
 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. How many times do you build a foundation? Once right? So at that point there is no need for apostles and prophets to continue on. And who does everything rest on? Jesus.  For if you believe in Jesus as I believe you say you do then there was and will never be a need for a restoration. (Mathew 16:18)
 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. We are now the temple of God.  He resides in us.  No need to build temples.
Please. Again understand we have a deep love for all those who are LDS or JW.  We want to see the best of Gods blessings for everyone.