"The Faithful IN CHRIST JESUS"

 

Ephesians 1:1-2 "Paul, an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST by the will of GOD, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in CHRIST JESUS: grace be to you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER, and from the LORD JESUS CHRIST."

     The key phrase in the beginning of the doctrinal section (chapters 1-3) of Ephesians is "in CHRIST." The practical section (chapters 4-6) deals with the believer's duties that result from being made a new creature "in CHRIST." This progression is typical of apostolic instruction - the precise teaching of what GOD has done followed by an impassioned plea for the believer to "walk worthy of the vocation" (Ephesians 4:1 pictured above) to which he has been called. Learning Bible doctrine is not a dull exercise that has no relevance to everyday life; it is the fountainhead from which victorious and fruitful Christian living flows. The more we understand what it means to be, by faith, identified with JESUS CHRIST in HIS perfect work of salvation - from the moment of regeneration until our final glorification - the better we will live accordingly now. 

     GOD used Paul as the human instrument to pen this letter, He was "an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST by the will of GOD" (v.1), and he had received two distinct revelations from the LORD: First, the Gospel message itself (Galatians 1:11-12 pictured above) and, second, the New Testament truth concerning the "mystery" of the church, comprised of both believing Jews and Gentiles who were now equals before GOD (Ephesians 3:1-6). This latter revelation serves as one of the main topics of this book. Notice that Paul writes his letter to those who are set apart unto GOD ("saints") - to the "faithful" in CHRIST (v.1). Only the saved can receive true grace and peace, for GOD the FATHER and the SON are the only source of both (v.2). If grace and peace were all we had, what more could we want ? And yet we have so much more ! This epistle reveals our manifold spiritual blessings in CHRIST. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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