#41- Standing In Heaven Walking On Earth?
<<< BIBLE CHAPTER SECTIONS: >>>
(English Standard Version)
Eph 1 - Greeting - Spiritual Blessings in Christ - Thanksgiving and Prayer
Eph 2 - By Grace Through Faith - One in Christ
Eph 3 - The Ministry of the Gospel Revealed - Prayer For Spiritual Strength
Eph 4 - Unity in The Body of Christ - The New Life
Eph 5 - Walk in Love - Wives and Husbands
Eph 6 - Children and Parents - Slaves and Masters - The Whole Armor of God - Final Greetings
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Ephesians for yourself … then,
Watch the Bible Project video Ephesians
I have heard Ephesians described as “God’s perspective of our Christian standing in heaven and our walk on earth”. Paul had spent about a year pastoring the church in Ephesus so a lot of it is reminding them of the fundamentals vital to their individual and church wellbeing.
After his familiar greeting of God’s “grace and peace”, Paul writes what is perhaps the most concise description of what it means to be a Christian that has ever been written. In twelve verses he praises God for all past, present and future blessings with which He has gifted us. It is a summary of amazing and complex things Christians have because of God’s grace and peace. Each thing Paul thanks God for should prompt us to search the rest of the Bible to better understand all that is involved. They are things which are present possessions even if not yet realized or experienced. They are things which no one can earn or deserve but which we ought to study, ponder and allow to motivate our daily lives. PLEASE read the paragraph yourself.
Rather than inadequately comment on each thing Paul mentions, I want to ask myself several questions about them.
Knowing the hypocrisies of my heart, how can I not bless (thank/praise) God for giving me “every spiritual blessing in heaven”?
Continuing to admit my own sinful nature, even though I believe, (“help my unbelief”), I don’t think I would ever have chosen to let God rule my life if He had not chosen and predestined me. His choosing me certainly wasn’t on the basis of my faithfulness to Him. The only answer is revealed in the phrase repeated as: “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in love”, “through Jesus Christ”, “in The Beloved”, “through His blood”, “the riches of His grace”, “in all wisdom and insight”, “according to His purpose”, “in Christ”, “in Him”…
How can I not weep with appreciation, thanksgiving and praise when I contemplate what my redemption and forgiveness cost God? I certainly haven’t paid anything for it.
I know what inheritance is, I have benefited so very much from the material and life blessing my parents and others have given me. The inheritance I already “have obtained” from God and is “guaranteed” by the Holy Spirit, is more sure than my birth certificate, my parents will, certainly more sure than my promises and commitments. How can I not want to live “to the praise of His Glory”?
No wonder Paul follows these mind-boggling words with a prayer for the Ephesian Christians, and for me. How very much I need daily “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him … the eyes of my heart enlightened to know what is the hope to which I have been called, the riches of the glorious inheritance I have with all the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward me.”
Lest I forget, Paul then reminds me, in Chapter two, from where I have come. I was dead to God, following the world and the devil, living for my selfish self. Then Paul uses two great big words: "BUT GOD”… not because of what I have earned or deserve but because of what I need, because of His “Rich Mercy” and “Great Love”, “made me alive with Christ.” And, even though I may not often feel like it, “I have been (now am) saved, raised up with Him, seated with Him in Heaven.” What a “Gift”. Of course my pride would like to think I worked to earn it, but contemplating the reality of it all, makes we want to brag about what God has done to enable me to enjoy doing good for Him.
The rest of chapter two describes how God has united Old and New Testament believers into the “household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:20-22)
I tend to think of a “temple” as a “special building”, but here it describes “God’s people” as His “dwelling place”. How very humbling and exciting at the same time.
In chapter three Paul tells about how, even though he was “the least of all saints”, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though “not made known to men in other generations”, was revealed to him and his fellow apostles so that they would preach these “unsearchable riches of Christ” to the whole world.
Paul concludes his comments about our “standing in Heaven” with a prayer that I cannot do justice by summary so I quote:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:14-21)
Paul then transitions to teach Christ’s “body/Church” how we are to live/walk in light of what God has done for us as described in the first three chapters. To equip His Church to effectively minister with each other, Jesus gave us His Apostles, Prophets, and Pastor-Teachers. They equip us to love each other and overcome our selfish, sinful attitudes and behaviors. Giving instructions about loving one another as fellow Christians, Paul used a phrase that is especially challenging to our sinful nature.
He said: “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:20,21) It is only as we recognize what Jesus has done for us and let the truths of the first three chapters sink into our lives that we lovingly “submit to one another”.
Why do we struggle so much to live out this wonderful LIFE God has given us? It seems that with God living in us it would be easier. Because we easily forget, Paul reminds us that: “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12) Our tendency is to try to wrestle in our own strength so Paul clearly says we must be strong in “the strength of His might. … put on God’s armor.” Then he describes God’s armor: “the belt of Truth … the breastplate of righteousness … shoes the gospel of peace … the shield of faith … the helmet of salvation … the sword of The Spirit which is the Word of God.”
And, we put it all on by “persevering in prayer”.
Finally, Paul tells them he is sending a faithful minister to continue teaching and encouraging them. And, then he closes with the foundation of all he has said about our standing in Heaven and our walk on earth. “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”
(English Standard Version)
Eph 1 - Greeting - Spiritual Blessings in Christ - Thanksgiving and Prayer
Eph 2 - By Grace Through Faith - One in Christ
Eph 3 - The Ministry of the Gospel Revealed - Prayer For Spiritual Strength
Eph 4 - Unity in The Body of Christ - The New Life
Eph 5 - Walk in Love - Wives and Husbands
Eph 6 - Children and Parents - Slaves and Masters - The Whole Armor of God - Final Greetings
COMMENTS and QUESTIONS
by J Neil Evans:
Read Ephesians for yourself … then,
Watch the Bible Project video Ephesians
I have heard Ephesians described as “God’s perspective of our Christian standing in heaven and our walk on earth”. Paul had spent about a year pastoring the church in Ephesus so a lot of it is reminding them of the fundamentals vital to their individual and church wellbeing.
After his familiar greeting of God’s “grace and peace”, Paul writes what is perhaps the most concise description of what it means to be a Christian that has ever been written. In twelve verses he praises God for all past, present and future blessings with which He has gifted us. It is a summary of amazing and complex things Christians have because of God’s grace and peace. Each thing Paul thanks God for should prompt us to search the rest of the Bible to better understand all that is involved. They are things which are present possessions even if not yet realized or experienced. They are things which no one can earn or deserve but which we ought to study, ponder and allow to motivate our daily lives. PLEASE read the paragraph yourself.
Rather than inadequately comment on each thing Paul mentions, I want to ask myself several questions about them.
Knowing the hypocrisies of my heart, how can I not bless (thank/praise) God for giving me “every spiritual blessing in heaven”?
Continuing to admit my own sinful nature, even though I believe, (“help my unbelief”), I don’t think I would ever have chosen to let God rule my life if He had not chosen and predestined me. His choosing me certainly wasn’t on the basis of my faithfulness to Him. The only answer is revealed in the phrase repeated as: “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in love”, “through Jesus Christ”, “in The Beloved”, “through His blood”, “the riches of His grace”, “in all wisdom and insight”, “according to His purpose”, “in Christ”, “in Him”…
How can I not weep with appreciation, thanksgiving and praise when I contemplate what my redemption and forgiveness cost God? I certainly haven’t paid anything for it.
I know what inheritance is, I have benefited so very much from the material and life blessing my parents and others have given me. The inheritance I already “have obtained” from God and is “guaranteed” by the Holy Spirit, is more sure than my birth certificate, my parents will, certainly more sure than my promises and commitments. How can I not want to live “to the praise of His Glory”?
No wonder Paul follows these mind-boggling words with a prayer for the Ephesian Christians, and for me. How very much I need daily “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him … the eyes of my heart enlightened to know what is the hope to which I have been called, the riches of the glorious inheritance I have with all the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward me.”
Lest I forget, Paul then reminds me, in Chapter two, from where I have come. I was dead to God, following the world and the devil, living for my selfish self. Then Paul uses two great big words: "BUT GOD”… not because of what I have earned or deserve but because of what I need, because of His “Rich Mercy” and “Great Love”, “made me alive with Christ.” And, even though I may not often feel like it, “I have been (now am) saved, raised up with Him, seated with Him in Heaven.” What a “Gift”. Of course my pride would like to think I worked to earn it, but contemplating the reality of it all, makes we want to brag about what God has done to enable me to enjoy doing good for Him.
The rest of chapter two describes how God has united Old and New Testament believers into the “household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Eph 2:20-22)
I tend to think of a “temple” as a “special building”, but here it describes “God’s people” as His “dwelling place”. How very humbling and exciting at the same time.
In chapter three Paul tells about how, even though he was “the least of all saints”, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though “not made known to men in other generations”, was revealed to him and his fellow apostles so that they would preach these “unsearchable riches of Christ” to the whole world.
Paul concludes his comments about our “standing in Heaven” with a prayer that I cannot do justice by summary so I quote:
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:14-21)
Paul then transitions to teach Christ’s “body/Church” how we are to live/walk in light of what God has done for us as described in the first three chapters. To equip His Church to effectively minister with each other, Jesus gave us His Apostles, Prophets, and Pastor-Teachers. They equip us to love each other and overcome our selfish, sinful attitudes and behaviors. Giving instructions about loving one another as fellow Christians, Paul used a phrase that is especially challenging to our sinful nature.
He said: “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:20,21) It is only as we recognize what Jesus has done for us and let the truths of the first three chapters sink into our lives that we lovingly “submit to one another”.
Why do we struggle so much to live out this wonderful LIFE God has given us? It seems that with God living in us it would be easier. Because we easily forget, Paul reminds us that: “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12) Our tendency is to try to wrestle in our own strength so Paul clearly says we must be strong in “the strength of His might. … put on God’s armor.” Then he describes God’s armor: “the belt of Truth … the breastplate of righteousness … shoes the gospel of peace … the shield of faith … the helmet of salvation … the sword of The Spirit which is the Word of God.”
And, we put it all on by “persevering in prayer”.
Finally, Paul tells them he is sending a faithful minister to continue teaching and encouraging them. And, then he closes with the foundation of all he has said about our standing in Heaven and our walk on earth. “Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”
Check out these LINKS:
Watch Bible Project summary of Ephesians
Read "Bible Words to Ponder" related to this week study
Read "The Gospel"