The Gospel According to Paul (Ephesians 2:1-10)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

COMMENT

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

We were sinners. All of us, without exception. The degree of our sin did not matter, it was enough to separate us from God. We were dead to Him, but alive to the prince of disobedience, focused on our own desires. Focused on ourselves, we were children of wrath.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

But God loves us, and He had a plan. Remember, God is not just merciful, He is rich in mercy. He has an abundance of mercy. So while we were dead to Him, He gave us life by joining us with Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, who thought not of Himself, but of God and of us. This is grace. This is the greatest miracle God has done. 

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith.

Because of what Jesus did, we can be with God. Because He has taken the consequence, the penalty of our rebellion and selfishness, we can enter heaven. In the coming ages we will see the riches of His grace. It is God's grace that saves us, and nothing else.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

If there is any doubt about who is responsible, let me say it again, it is not your doing, it is a gift from God. You have no basis to boast, either before God or before one another. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God is the craftsman, we are the product. God is the potter, we are the clay. God knows us, has crafted us, and has plans for us. 

That is the gospel. That is the love and mercy of God. But God is not just love and mercy. He is also righteous and just. That is why He had to go to such extremes to save us. That is what makes the gospel so beautiful, that is what should drive our worship and response to Him.

Not Without the Spirit (Ephesians 1:15-23)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:15-23

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

COMMENT

Have you ever wondered how the early church grew, thrived, or even survived without men who had seminary degrees, without bloggers, without TV evangelists? My only conclusion can be that it was the working of the Holy Spirit in the believers of the early church. Paul sees this and is thankful for this. I love the phrase, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you." That speaks to me of the fact that no matter what we think or do, God is in control. I fear that we have lost some of this. Not because God is less powerful, but because we place our faith in knowledge over love. The preacher is exalted as the divine orator of God's plans, and we are to fall in line. I think of the millionaire mega-pastors. I think of a pastor in our city who convince his congregation to move to a new site, buy a large parcel of land, and build a mega building. Then, they would attract new businesses to that area, and sell off some of the extra land to pay for it all (at a handsome profit, of course). Then the 2008 recession hit. They ended up having to lay off some of their staff. I am sure that programs had to be altered, and perhaps their giving to missionaries as well. The pastor soon took a position somewhere else. Having been in ministry for a few years, having gone to church for many others, and even working as a teacher in a Christian school, I have other stories I could tell... 

I wonder if the Jews, who did not understand about the true mission of the Messiah, laughed at the Christians when they suffered. Maybe a "How's your Jesus working for you now!" might have been uttered. But these Christians knew that it was not about an earthly kingdom or for our ease and comfort that Jesus bled and died. 

The church, and I mean the real, universal body of true believers is His body, is the fullness of Him. Not the local congregation, although there are some that fulfill this role well. While others put on an impressive show of wealth and piety. I think we would do well to measure our actions against those of the Jewish leaders Jesus constantly had to contend with. I think we would do well to remember that our mission is not to grow or save the church. God has been doing a great job of taking care of that for years. Our mission is to respond to our salvation in love for God and others. Our mission is to reveal His glory through our lives and not our buildings or programs. I think of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I am not against buildings or programs. But without love, without submission to God' Holy Spirit, it really is in vain.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Wow! I really did not see that going there this morning.

So Many Questions... (Ephesians 1:11-14)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:11-14

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

COMMENT

In him we have obtained an inheritance

How far does the analogy go? Those who inherit do not decide to take an inheritance, they are given on because they are sons. Or should this analogy only go so far as to mean that those who become sons have the inheritance? 

having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory

There is the "P" word again, predestined. Were we chosen because of His will, or was it our will and then that melds into His will? In either case, it is for His glory that this occurs.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

What happened when we heard the Gospel? We were sealed with the Holy Spirit, and our inheritance was guaranteed. Again, was it set forth by God's choosing, and sealed by the gospel and our belief, or did we hear the gospel, and then were sealed when we chose to believe? In either case, there is a word there that bears thought. That word is guarantee. Our inheritance is guaranteed. Does that mean that we cannot lose our salvation? If we can, then what does this guarantee mean?

So many questions...

But there are also implications. Implications that include that unless we hear the gospel and believe it, we are not sealed, and therefore not saved. Implications regarding that the gospel we submit to must be the gospel of truth, and not any man's version or any distortion of the gospel. Implications regarding our response, because in the Bible, believe involves change and repentance. 

Amazing Grace, Amazing God (Ephesians 1:3-10)

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

COMMENT

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world

What does this verse mean when it states that he (God) chose us? Does that mean He individually chose who would be saved and who wouldn't? Or does it mean that God chose those who would choose to believe to be saved? I have my opinions, but only God's opinion matters. I don't like it when people say things like, "Calvinism is the Gospel," or "Calvinism is heresy." There are valid points to both arguments, and also problems with both arguments. It just seems a little arrogant or self-righteous to say such things. And these are the people who usually will not even listen to another's point of view.

that we should be holy and blameless before him.

This is why He redeems us. Not so that we can be right, or so that we can save others. It is so that we can stand before Him, so that one day we can be in His presence. Sure, it is good to be right, it is good to do all kinds of things, but that is not why He redeems us. And you know what that should produce in us? Humility. Worship. Love, both for God and for others. The leaders in Jesus' time lacked these things. They were full of pride, their worship was in vain, and they loved their places and titles more than God. Many today are in a similar boat. Abandon ship!

 according to the riches of his grace

I love that phrase. God is not just merciful, but He is rich in grace. His grace is not something given out with an eye dropper, but poured out abundantly, because God has much grace! And we are blessed according to the riches of His grace, and not the works of our own selves. That is why grace is so amazing. 

which he lavished upon us

He didn't just give us grace, He lavished it upon us. He poured out so much grace because we needed so much grace. We will never run out of grace, He has given us so much!

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

He did it for our sake, so that heaven and earth can be united. He did not need earth to come to Him to be complete, but we certainly need heaven to come to us to be complete. Praise God for what He does for our sake.

Hosea 14

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 14

COMMENT

Chapter 14 begins with a plea by the prophet of repent, or return to the Lord. 

God responds in verse 4  "I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them."

What is the difference here, why does God turn His wrath away now? One can only surmise that this repentance is genuine. Perhaps Israel is tired of playing games or tired of not being able to gather God's forgiveness through their false actions and lips. Perhaps they have realized that God is mightier than they imagined. Or perhaps God has opened their eyes to these truths, both by His actions and His will. 

Whatever the case, listen and meditate on verse 9.

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
and the upright walk in them,
but transgressors stumble in them.

Hosea 13

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 13

COMMENT

Ephraim spoke, and the people revered his words. But those words were dishonest or not spoken in righteousness. Ephraim was a whore, and had sold out to other gods. 

God is still God, even when others say He is not, and God is the only one who offers salvation, through His Son, for those who believe. Those who are not saved, even though they might think otherwise, fear the Lion. Rightfully so. 

When the loin attacks, the prey wonder who will save them. But there is no one to save them from the apex predator. Their trust in other gods and idols has left them vulnerable. Their destruction is coming. And it will be devastating and complete, horrific and tragic.

Hosea 12

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 12

COMMENT

Here's what I see as I read this chapter. Israel is still guilty before God, and is deserving of punishment. The striving of Jacob, and his defeating of an angel is an interesting note in the chapter, and perhaps hints at a return to God, but the sins and arrogance of Israel are again brought in to view. 

Vs. 9,10: I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables.

God is still in charge. I wonder if the idea of again dwelling in tents means the taking away of their homes and making them nomads again. 

Hosea 11

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 11

COMMENT

I believe this chapter describes the love of God. Not that wishy-washy, prosperity gospel kind of love where God wants you to have everything. But the kind of love that shows what God does for us, and that He wants the best for us, and that best is Him. 

God cared for Israel, yet in spite of His care, they turned away to other Gods. Since they continually refused to accept His care, He gave them over to other rulers. Rulers who did not love them, who would not treat them kindly. And still, God did not desert them. For He is God, and does not love as man loves. 

Hosea 10

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 10

COMMENT

The more Israel prospered, the more altars they built, and not altars to the God of heaven. So how does that fit in to your prosperity gospel preaching? Haven't heard you use that text!

God will break down their altars. Does this speak to America too? Verses 3 and 4 tell me that could be true. 

Verse 10: When I please, I will discipline them, and nations shall be gathered against them when they are bound up for their double iniquity.

Do those words scare anyone else? Did they bother Israel? 

Verse 12: Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Time to seek the Lord. It is always that time.

Hosea 9

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 9

COMMENT

Israel has played the whore and has forsaken God. As a result, they must face the consequences.

But MY God is a God of love! He would not punish or withhold His mercy! (Many would say)

Yeah, right. What good parent would discipline a child? Love does not mean giving you what you want. In fact, that is more likely the opposite of love. Those who speak in such a way basically prove that they do not really know God.

Israel has been in full-out rebellion or rejection of God. God in turn is removing His mercy, that they might repent. This is not a one-step process. Israel at first gives lip service to God, but does not have a truly repentant heart. God sees through this. The retribution is severe! I would not wish the events on this chapter on anyone. Perhaps chapter 10 will bring a better message!

Hosea 8

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 8

COMMENT

Israel claims to know God. (Vs. 2) But their actions show otherwise. I wonder how many today are int he same boat. It is what makes Jesus' comment in Matthew 7:23 so frightening, when He says, "And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

There is a difference between knowing Jesus and thinking you know Jesus. It is proved by one's actions. Do we love God? Do we love others? Just following a ritualistic law, even if it is good stuff, is not evidence of knowing Jesus. In fact, it may show just the opposite.

Punishment is coming to Israel because they do not know God. They think they do, or at least they claim they do. But the God who knows the heart is not fooled. 

Vs. 14: For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces, and Judah has multiplied fortified cities; so I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour her strongholds. That is just as scary as Matthew 7:23!

Hosea 7

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 7

COMMENT

It sounds as if they are trying to put one over on God, that by proclaiming a repentance, but one that is not true, they can somehow fool God. But not only is God not fooled, but He has not forgotten their past. In some regards, it is almost as if even they believe their own lie. Or perhaps they just do not know God in a way that enables them to sincerely repent, and taking as many as possible along with them in their folly.

Vs. 10: The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him, for all this.

Vs. 13-14: Woe to them, for they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against me. They do not cry to me from the heart, but they wail upon their beds; for grain and wine they gash themselves; they rebel against me.

God would restore them, if they had truly repented. This is a scary thought, because I believe it is possible to believe a lie, to deceive ourselves because of what we want to be true. I believe the Bible calls it having itching ears. 

Some want to hold God to a standard that they have no business holding Him to. They say He does not fulfill His promises because the responses are not as they would have them to be. But one thing they do not take into account, that God knows the heart. He knows if the repentance is sincere, or if it is just to somehow regain God's favor. God never promised us heaven on earth, in fact, just the opposite. We are told that times of heartache and suffering would come. He tells us to pick up our cross. But that does not sell in today's Christian marketplace. 

Hosea 6

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 6

COMMENT

So much in this chapter. The Israelites decide to return to the Lord. "for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up." (Vs 1) Verse 2 seems to allude to what God will do for us in Christ. They speak of wanting to know the Lord. 

But God seems to doubt either their ability or sincerity. He tells them, "Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away." (Vs 4) Ouch! And in verse 6, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Sound familiar? God desires mercy over sacrifice, knowledge over burnt offerings. 

But for Judah, a harvest is appointed when God will restore the fortunes of His people. Our efforts, our promises are nothing. True faithfulness comes from God and the promises that He makes.

Hosea 5

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 5

COMMENT

Guilty. They are all guilty of sin, the priests, Israel, you, me, all! The line, "For the spirit of whoredom is within them, for they do not know the Lord." (Vs 4) is so full of condemnation. This is more than a simple mistake, it is flat out rebellion. Own it! (Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.")

Also, "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. (Vs 4) It's true. Outside of some divine intervention, salvation is out of reach!

God is the answer, but they tried other remedies. (Vs. 13) But to no avail. When will it end? When they acknowledge their guilt and seek God's face. When they truly repent of their behavior and attitudes. What will bring this about? Only their distress. Only God, in love, taking away His mercy so that they can see again, and not be blinded by the good things of God, which sometimes get in the way of truly seeing God. 

Hosea 4

 SCRIPTURE

Hosea 4

COMMENT

Understanding. The people of Israel were unfaithful. Not only unfaithful, but engaging in activities that violated God's standards. As a result, they would suffer. They destroyed themselves for a lack of knowledge. The priests were held to account, because they had forgotten the law of God.

There is a special accountability for leaders. I think of the leaders of today and the crap they spew from their lips in the name of God. Their lack of knowledge is appalling, and perhaps a reason that we are headed where I believe we may be headed as a country. You can blame the politicians all you want, but ultimately we are responsible for a generation that seeks pleasure, relief, and freedom from obligation. For a generation that does not know the meaning of individual responsibility or hard work. For a generation that wants what the government can give it, ignorant of the cost or who will ultimately pay for it. 

We have forsaken God because we do not know nor do we understand Him. We attribute love to Him, and then define that love by His gifts. When things are not as we desire, we just say that He does not exist. We have no understanding or knowledge of God or truth. The only truth we will accept is our own truth. Or the truth that is put out to garner our votes. We are the whores this chapter speaks of. That is a hard truth to accept. And yet, God loves us. He pursues is in His ways. If that means He must remove His mercy for a time, He will do that. Will it lead to our repentance?

Hosea 3

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 3

COMMENT

Hosea is told to love a woman who is loved by another man, and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins. That is not just Israel this speaks of, but all who are called by God to be His children. All have gone astray. Not one does what is good. Yet God loves us, and just as He instructs Hosea to, God pursues his children. 

He instructs Hosea to offer the price of a slave for her. Fitting, the price of a slave for a slave to sin. You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so I will be to you. I believe this speaks of the repentant lifestyle that accompanies true conversion. We know belong to God Himself. We have been bought and are now His. Though we live still not seeing Him face to face, we reside as His children. Though we might suffer as one who has nothing, in reality we have everything that matters as a child of God. Seeking God, we will find Him. He will restore us in His time to all good things.

Hosea 2:16-23

 SCRIPTURE

Hosea 2:14-23

COMMENT

Ever had a relationship that was strained? That is what I think about when I read verse 16. We had a strained relationship with God, even calling him, "My Baal." That would be like calling your spouse by another name, and doing it constantly. But God reaches in and removes the names of the Baals, and our memory of them. That is the beginning of the restoration of the relationship. God restores the relationship. He creates safety. He protects. God does the healing.

Jezreel. God sows. God is the initiator. God is the provider. God is the protector. I am His people. He is my God. God restores the relationship, I respond. 

Hosea 2:1-13

SCRIPTURE

Hosea 2:1-13

COMMENT

I am still thinking about the idea that mercy is a gift from God, and not something that we should expect because we deserve it or because He owes it to us. And that God will withhold His mercy if He needs to. He does this out of love. That is a hard one for me to accept. But I have to think about mom's letter.

My mother wrote a letter to her children, and put it in her safety deposit box. She wrote it when we were still children living in her home. We did not read it until after she passed. I was in my 40's at the time. In one part of it, she explained that she would have given us everything she owned if she thought it would be the right thing to do. But she know that it was not. she knew that such a gift would spoil us and end up being wasted. I believe she was right. So she withheld it. And I appreciate her for it. I truly believe that if she thought it was the right thing to do, she  would have done it. I also believe that if she had done that, I would have misused my portion, and might have even blamed her for wasting it. She chose to withhold, an act of love.

In this passage, I believe we see the abuse of God's mercy. Even today, some say that because God is merciful, I can do whatever I please and God will forgive me. God equates such an entitled attitude by equating it with being a whore. He removes His mercy because of this attitude. But not as purely a punishment, but also as an act of love, to lead them back to Him. 

In verse 7 she states, "I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now." The start of the journey home? She still has to endure the consequences of her actions. Repentance is more than a return to home because it is a better place than where we currently are. It appears this still needs to be discovered, as God's mercy has yet to return.