A God centered view of Grace

A God Centered view of Grace

Ephesians 2: 1-10-And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein times 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: Among whom also we had our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of our flesh and of the mind;and were by nature children of wrath, even as others. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ( for by grace are ye saved;)and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk therein.

These verses of scripture teach us about the new life we have in Christ. In fact the words IN Christ could be considered an overall sub-theme of the book of Ephesians. This little portion of scripture shows us how God's grace, his unmerited favor toward us, is to draw us into a life of service.

The first three verses reveal man's helpless state without salvation, which comes from Christ alone.

Verses 4-9 reveal unto us the gracious act of God. Finally, verse # 10 teaches us the responsive life of the believer.

Let us never forget though that this portion of scripture, along with the whole epistle of Ephesians, could be considered Paul the apostles guidebook for Spiritual Warfare.

Starting in verse #1 of this chapter, we see a complete destruction of the humanistic philosophy that teaches mankind is innately good. That each and everyone of us has a god-spark, or good nature that only needs to be tapped through social and political reform, or a false spiritual awakening.

However our personal goodness can only be manifested a few short times in select moments, wherein God's holiness can redefine mankind and history as well.

In fact, within the first three verses of this chapter alone, we see a serious indictment on all of humanity outside of salvation in Christ.

Vs 1- Without Christ we are dead in trespass and sins

Vs 2 Without Christ we are all children of disobedience

Vs 3 Without Christ we are all children of wrath.

We simply can’t get away from the fact that mankind hasn’t changed since Adam's rebellion in the garden. The weeping prophet of the old testament Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 17:9- the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it.

As we prepare to continue, let's remember that Satan is not only a liar, but he is a deceiver as well Revelation 12:9-And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan which deceiveth the whole world.

In verses 2-3 of Ephesians chapter 2, we see what I like to call the four fold attack of the enemy….it’s what we ought to be on the lookout for in our spiritual fight.

Vs 2- Course of this world-This would be the current philosophy and underlying standards of beliefs which permeate society and the day and age we live in. It is anti-God and against anything that is Christ centered. The politics, the religion, and the overriding values which are against God are found in the course of this world.

Secondly we see The prince of the power of the air. My friends, the enemy's main desire is to keep you from getting saved, but once you are quickened, made alive by the new birth in Christ<, his desire then becomes to render you useless for God and to keep you from living the abundant life. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Now what does a thief steal? Only that which is valuable to the person he is robbing. Don’t let satan steal your joy, your testimony, or you ability to win souls. Don’t get discouraged with your sin and become a sideline Christian.

1 Peter 5:8- Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour. A quick study of any lion will prove to you that they do not attack the fastest and most powerful of those in any herd. Instead, a lion has the tendency and desire to single out the sick or the feeble or young, and attack them. Don’t get bitter at your pastor or church, and be willing to carry along and disciple baby and or wounded Christians.

We also see the lusts of the flesh. We often give into what feels good and I'm not just talking about those things of an erotic nature. We all love sleep, binge watching our favorite television shows, eating more than we should, and of course viewing and listening to things we shouldn’t.

When we give into the desires of our flesh, it’s often because we are focusing too heavy on what we lack, not what we have. Church members often want the flashy, well spoken pastor from the bigger church on their side of town. Pastors want content and tithing members. Mom wants a husband she can be proud of that brings honor to their home. Dad is often desiring a woman his father or the world groomed him to receive. All of these simple examples are false narratives from the lust of the flesh.

To put it simply, I want to want what God wants me to want. And If i'm focusing on going after what it is he wants me to want, then my contentment is based upon His perfect and absolute will for my life.

James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither he tempteth any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

We may not all be tempted by the same things, but we are all tempted the same way.

Finally we see our mind as one of the battlegrounds the enemy loves to attack.

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion as a man. He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

I hate to say it, but one of the most destructive forces that Satan uses within the local church, is that of pride. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Simply read the testimony of satan's fall from heaven in the book of Isaiah and you’ll see the word I used over and over again. Pride comes into our life when what I want to be, do and have is greater than what God wants me to be, do and have.

Another reason why pride is so destructive in the life of a believer, is because it elevates our personal holiness and righteousness over that of Christs. Instead of allowing Christ to live through us, we desire to live a life centered around a version of the gospel which works best for us. It magnifies us instead of the absolute holiness and sovereignty of God.

Vs 4-9 We see the revealed grace of God in the life of a believer.

We ought to never undervalue God’s mercy and grace. Have you ever considered how God's love for us was revealed on Calvary in spite of Him knowing us. Have you considered yet how God has chosen that through salvation, we receive the eternal treasures of heaven?. Even when considering our own sinfulness, God's grace was manifested through the wrath he placed upon His only begotten Son, that through faith in Him. Yet If we ignore it and live for ourselves and choose to refuse Christ, we spend an eternity in hell.

Our greatest asset as believers isn’t the ability to overcome any and all obstacles the enemy places in front of us, but rather that through the finished work of Christ on calvary, all obstacles were removed, and that though we were once dead in trespasses and sin, we are now alive!!!

Our salvation showcases the ultimate display of God's power. Ephesians 1:19-23 And what is the greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places Far above all principality, and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God’s power, God's grace and God's authority which is far greater than all of mankind’s sin. And Paul the Apostle wasn’t attacking the false religions of Ephesus, of which there were many. He was proving the ultimate power of Christ through His victory over death, His victory over the grave, His victory over sin, and His victory over Satan.

Ephesians 2:6- And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

My friends, there is absolutely no reason why we as believers don’t live with heaven as our focus so that is eternal dwelling place. Our rightful place is with Christ. As a believer, we have the blessings of being a part of the family of God- and you have the biblical right to an abundant and blessed life. How? By living out the fruit of the spirit in your daily life and walk with Christ.

Let us never forget though what we were saved from. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters,nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.

I’m not going to get into the doctrines of salvation, sanctification, or justification. But I do want to remind you that since you are now a citizen of heaven, you shouldn’t be living like you were, you ought to be living like you are. You were a child of disobedience, you're now a child of God!!!

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast.

We did nothing to earn our salvation outside of our sinfulness which placed Christ on the cross of Calvary. It is God that gives the grace. It is the father in heaven who draws us into a life of faith which starts in a simple faith and trust in belief that God is who He says He is and does what He says He does.

We can never earn our salvation. We could never be good enough. That is why the old saying rings so true that a man who claims his own righteousness and is great in the sight of man, will end up in hell. Yet a man who is much with God, who finds very little favor with man will end up in heaven. It's all based upon God's grace, His unmerited favor, His sending of The Son to die in our place. And through simple faith, we live eternally with Him.

Ephesians 2:10-For we are his workmanship,created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Not only do we see that through Christ's death do we have salvation, but that we ought to live lives worthy of His death. There is a major difference between living a life which is Christ centered and goodness centered. God's grace gives us the strength to live such a life.

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