"A Perfect, Finished Foundation"

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of GOD; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE; in WHOM all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the LORD: in WHOM ye also are builded together for an habitation of GOD through the SPIRIT."

     The Bible sometimes describes the church as a "building" (v.21). The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE of this structure, with the foundation composed of the divinely inspired writings of the Apostles and Prophets (v.20). Individual "living stones," which represent believers in the church age, comprise the superstructure. All of GOD's children are "fellow citizens" of Heaven and part of this "household of GOD" (v.19). Notice the dependence of these building components. The church is "build upon the foundation" (v.20) - our faith rests solely on GOD's final infallible revelation to mankind (1st.Thessalonians 2:13 pictured above; 4:1-2; 2nd.Timothy 3:16 pictured below; 2nd.Peter 1:21:3:2).

     For us to be properly fitted and built up in the faith, we must gain an increasing knowledge of the WORD of GOD. The spiritual process of being "fitly framed together" (v.21) includes our absolute reliance upon and alignment with the CORNERSTON HIMSELF, JESUS CHRIST. HE must be the HEAD of all things, including every aspect of our life. We need to study the WORD each day, pray without ceasing, commune with the LORD, and daily strive to serve HIM aright; as we do so, the HOLY SPIRIT will shape us into the kind of stones that rightly fit and function in GOD's building - CHRIST's body - and that are a light in this dark world. GOD dwells within the church; it is HIS "Holy temple" (vv.21-22). The world should be able to recognize that we are a part of this building, and it will when we yield ourselves to the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT. Remember, in order to be useful for GOD, we must do all things "through the SPIRIT" (v.22). Are we allowing GOD's SPIRIT within to open our heart to the WORD and direct our path ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Ideal Man ?"

 

THE  10  MOST  WANTED  MEN

* 1 The man who puts GOD's business above any of his own affairs.

"For whether we live, we live unto the LORD; and whether we die, we die unto the LORD, Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the LORD's." (Romans 14:8).

* 2 The man who teaches and sets a good example for his children.

"And these WORDs, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:6,7).

* 3 The man who recognizes that anyone who needs him is his neighbor.

"Thou shalt love . . . thy neighbor as thyself . . . but he, willing to justify himself, said unto JESUS, And who is my neighbor ? . . . And a certain Samaritan . . . had compassion on him . . ." (Luke 10:27, 29, 33).

* 4 The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by what he gives.

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." (2nd.Corinthians 9:6).

* 5 The man who reads the WORD of GOD with as much diligence as he does his smartphone.

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth." (2nd.Timothy 2:15).

* 6 The man who lives for the treasures in Heaven rather than the pleasures on Earth.

"But lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doeth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  (Matthew 6:20,21).

*7 The man who recognizes his obligations to his family, his church, and his community as well as to his business.

"And I will say unto my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But GOD said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?" (Luke 12:19,20)

* 8 The man who sees his own faults before he sees the faults of others.

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?" (Matthew 7:3).

* 9 The man who wants to help others rather than serve himself.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:3,4).

*10 The man who recognizes that all of life should be lived distinctively.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD." (1st.Corinthians 10:31).

". . . choose you this day WHOM ye shall serve; . . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15).

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Wall is Broken Down"

Ephesians 2:13-18 "But now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of CHRIST. For HE is our peace, WHO hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in HIS flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in HIMSELF of twain one new man, so making peace; and that HE might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through HIM we both have access by one SPIRIT unto the FATHER."

     Today, GOD does not distinguish between the "Circumcision" and the "Uncircumcision" (v.11), between the Jew and the rest of the Gentile world; both stand the same before HIM - guilty ! All men, regardless of creed or culture, are sinners and share in common the desperate need to be saved (Romans 3:9-30). In the church age, the Jew does not have an advantage over the Gentile with respect to approaching GOD; every person must come by way of the bloodstained cross, as today's text reveals. In this dispensation of grace, there is one body - the church-composed of saved Jews and Gentiles who are now "Christians." The HOLY SPIRIT baptizes, or places, the individual into this relationship the very moment he or she believes (1st.Corinthians 12:13 pictured above).

     The ecumenical movement often uses today's text in the attempt to scripturally justify their efforts to bring together all denominations and traditions, Catholic and Orthodox included. In JESUS CHRIST, the temple's veil that once separated Jew and Gentile (not "denominational barriers" !) is done away (vv.13-14 pictured above). The LORD creates this spiritual harmony; it is not a man-made alliance that encompasses Bible-rejecting liberals or those who preach a false gospel. Many prominent religious movements and denominations today boast in their ability to "tear down walls"; however, this supposed unity is derived at the expense of the pure Gospel and sound doctrine. The "one body" mentioned in our text is made up only of those who have come "by the cross" (vv.15-18). While the ecumenists may pride themselves in their inclusive, innovative approaches to man-centered unions, only GOD can produce a truly HOLY SPIRIT filled accord. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"In Time Past Without Hope"

 

Ephesians 2:11-12 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision (the Jews) in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:"

     Today's text begins a new section explaining how the church, which is CHRIST's "body" (Ephesians 1:22-23 pictured above), was a "mystery" formerly undisclosed in the Old Testament dispensations. However, in New Testament revelation, the Apostle Paul explains that the church is a union involving Jew and Gentile, both standing on equal footing before the LORD. Today such an idea does not seem too difficult to understand or accept, but to the Jew in the first century, it was a radical concept - perhaps even repulsive. The Jew was proud of his Abrahamic lineage, and the thought of Gentiles approaching GOD in like manner was hard to swallow. Divine revelation and apostolic instruction were necessary to drive home this new and crucial point of doctrine (Ephesians 3:1-6).

     Under the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, GOD's people, the children of Israel, were distinct from the Gentiles, who were outside the covenants given by GOD to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and HIS promises concerning the future Millennial Kingdom given to King David. The Jews had a marked advantage in approaching the one, true GOD, for they had the Law of Moses and the Levitical priestly system, which provided a way into the HOLY of Holies - into the very presence of Almighty GOD (Romans 9:4-5 pictured above). Without question, the Gentiles were at a disadvantage; these Gentile "dogs" (Matthew 7:6), the "Uncircumcision" (v.11), were without hope. The wall between the temple's sanctuary and the court of the Gentiles was a divine and unalterable reality (v.12). But, praise GOD, in tomorrow's devotional we shall see in the subsequent verses that the LORD JESUS CHRIST abolished this dividing wall in the present church age. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The EXCEEDING Riches of HIS Grace"

 

Ephesians 2:7-10 "That in the ages to come HE might show 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 in them."

     What is GOD's purpose in providing the gift of salvation ? HE seeks to demonstrate HIS unfathomable grace by transforming a hell-based sinner into a saved believer in CHRIST, perfectly fitted for eternal glory. Now and throughout all eternity the redeemed will shine forth as trophies of HIS glory and grace (v.7). If we could justifiably claim that our redemption was due in any way to our own efforts, then we would have reason to boast; however, our LORD will have none of that (v.9 Pictured above) ! For all eternity, glorified sinners-made saints will be a tribute to HIS amazing grace.

     Salvation is a gift that is received by faith (v.8 pictured above). No one earns or works for a gift; that would be a contradiction in terms. The unworthy sinner who accepts GOD's gift by faith soon understands what "the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness towards us through CHRIST JESUS" (v.7) really means. Salvation from start to finish - deliverance from the penalty of sin, from the reigning power of sin, and from the very presence of sin (yet future) - is the result of the grace of GOD at work in saving and keeping the believer. Again, how is this gift received ? It is appropriated through faith in the perfect finished work of CHRIST at the very moment we trust HIM as our personal SAVIOR. GOD's grace leaves no room for boasting but certainly plenty of room for praise ! We are HIS workmanship, regenerated and renewed by the HOLY SPIRIT; and, as believers, we are to conform to the image of HIS SON (v.10). We are not saved by good works of any kind, but it is GOD's will "that we should walk in them" after we are saved. Grace not only provides salvation, but it also instructs the believer to live righteously for his LORD (Titus 2:11-15 pictured above). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Now We Are Made ALIVE !"

 

Ephesians 2:4-6 " But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, for HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened [made us alive] us together with CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS:"

     Upon believing the Gospel, we are "quickened . . . together with CHRIST" (v.5). We "were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 1:1), but by believing the Gospel, we are now made alive in CHRIST (John 1:12 pictured above; John 5:24). Joining a church, performing religious ceremonies such as water baptism or communion, or "turning over a new leaf" can never save us; rather, salvation is the miraculous, regenerating work of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD whereby we are born anew in JESUS CHRIST and spiritually "baptized" into HIS body, the church (1st.Corinthians 12:13 pictured below).

     We could do nothing to alter our dead condition, but GOD could - and HE did: "But GOD . . ." (vv.4-6) ! Because of GOD's mercy and love for us while we were yet sinners, HE sent HIS SON to pay the sentence of eternal death due the sinner; HE raised HIM from the grave, and through the substitutionary, finished work of the crucified and risen SAVIOR, HE provided a perfect salvation for all who believe on HIM - this is the precious Gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, in JESUS alone. We are to believe it, preach it, and contend against any who would attempt to pervert it. Those who say that salvation is not by grace through faith alone are preaching a false gospel (Galatians 2:16 pictured below).

     The LORD also has "raised us up together (v.6). CHRIST's resurrection power enables us to walk in newness of life as we "sit together in heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS." The glorified and ascended SAVIOR, WHO is now ministering at the right hand of the FATHER, enables those who are "in HIM" to serve GOD on a heavenly, spiritual plane. Before the new birth, we were hopelessly bound by the chains of sin and death; now, "in CHRIST JESUS," we are alive unto GOD and empowered for HIS service (v.5). DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"We Were Dead in Trespasses and Sins"

 

Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you hath HE quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time 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 all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

     Every Christian has an inglorious past. Before trusting in JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR, we were totally alienated from GOD and from everything that is good and acceptable in HIS sight. It is rather strange, then, that some believers seem to pride themselves in their previous sinful exploits or revel in their former worldly pursuits and achievements. The Apostle Paul had the right perspective when he said concerning past deeds, "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed ?" (Romans 6:21 pictured above). Prior to salvation, the child of GOD was on an equal plane with every other hell-bound sinner: "dead in trespasses and sins" (v.1). When we consider the sinful deeds of the past, we have nothing in which to find glory or to fondly recall. It is so sad when the believer allows the flesh to lure him back to "the course of this world."

     In our former unregenerate state, we were, in reality, the "walking dead" with respect to all things spiritual. We were helplessly subject to the course of this world (v.2a), the god of this world (v.2b), and or own sinful flesh (v.3). We could do nothing to ingratiate ourselves to GOD; no form of religious activity or altruistic endeavor could draw us closer to HIM. Nothing in us could please the LORD whatsoever ! We were, by our very nature, "the children of wrath" (v.3 cf. John 3:36 pictured above). As unsaved sinners, we "fulfill[ed] the desires of the flesh" (v.3). Yes, the lost can find a measure of gratification in pursuing the riches, pleasures, and accomplishments of the world - Satan will certainly see to that, for he "worketh in (enables, empowers) his own (v.2). But sadly, they are destined for GOD's wrath (v.3) - an eternity in the Lake of Fire. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.     www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation