Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 18

Paul reminds the Ephesians that Christ has Destroyed the Hostility between Jew and Gentile

Ephesians 2:13-15 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; KJV

Paul once a high ranking Pharisee in the Jewish religion, even an esteemed member of the Sanhedrin now writes to people that during those days he considered to be sub-humans. The Jews and Gentiles over the centuries were at all times at odds with one another or to be real they hated one another, each not understanding the others way of life. God the Father (after He called Abraham out of his Father’s land) made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-7) and from that point on God saw only two groups of people upon the earth and that was Jews (who came from Abraham) and Gentiles (all other human beings on the earth). Paul now declares that although the Gentiles were at a distance from the One True God and went about worshipping and serving false gods, now (in complete contrast) to “at that time” (Ephesians 2:12) they have been brought into fellowship with the One True God “by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

Even after our Lord Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead and then walking with the Apostles for 40 days before His Ascension, the Apostles did not realize or recognize that our Lord Jesus Christ would give the same Grace to sinful Gentiles that they too had received from Him. The Apostle Peter and other circumcised Jews who went with him to the house of a Gentile Roman Centurion named Cornelius did not expect any of them to be saved by God for they had not understood our Lord’s words in (John 10:16); they did not even want to go to them and this was their reaction when God did save their whole household as documented by Dr. Luke with these words, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, ‘Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.” (Acts 10:44-48).

It was the Will of God the Father to openly display our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ publically on that Cross showing His hatred for sin that He would subject His only begotten Son to such anguish, affliction, and agony physically and spiritually as He (our perfect sinless Lord Jesus) carried the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), but at the very same time showing His unconditional love for sinful fallen humanity that He (God the Father) would provide a sacrifice for our sins that we never could provide because He is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). It is our union with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that makes peace with God and gives us peace within and makes us peacemakers in this wicked world we live in as aliens and pilgrims. Therefore, Paul now declares to these Ephesian believers that our Lord Jesus Christ has made Jew and Gentile one new human being in Himself by His sacrificial death on the Cross. Paul uses the English phrase “hath broken down” which is translated by one Greek word luo a primary verb meaning to loosen, break up, shatter, put off, dissolve, or destroy. What has our Lord Jesus destroyed? Paul calls it “the middle wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14). Figuratively it refers to a fence erected to cause separation between two parties. In this case, Paul refers to the Jewish Mosaic Laws that no Gentile had any knowledge of or understanding of, so this is what caused the hostility between the two people (Jew and Gentile), but now Christ death has shattered this invisible imaginary wall and through or by His Blood ONLY now both Jew and Gentile have access to the Throne of God (Hebrews 4:16).

Paul uses the English phrase “Having abolished” to begin verse 15 and this phrase is translated by one Greek word katargeo which means to make void, put away, to make of no effect, or to render entirely idle or useless. What is it that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ has made of no effect anymore? It is the hostility or opposition caused by “the law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Ephesians 2:15). In other words, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ has “in His Flesh” completely destroyed the requirements for obeying the Mosaic Laws given to the Jews by fulfilling them by His coming as He declared with these words, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-20) and only being united to Him through regeneration and the new birth (John 3:3-5) can Jew or Gentile have TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Paul declares that our Great High Priest Jesus Christ has made Jew and Gentile into “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15), that is, one new quality of man and all the dissension, distrust, and disillusion between us has been removed permanently forever in His Flesh and nailed to His Cross as Paul wrote with these words to the Colossian believers, “And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, Having cancelled {and} blotted out {and} wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees {and} demands which was in force {and} stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside {and} cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display {and} public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him {and} in it [the Cross].” (Colossians 2:13-15).

My own Personal Note: Ah! Rest…. It is something that all human beings can relate to in the natural world. Our physical bodies demand rest and will break down unless we give them the proper rest they require. There is a rest, however, of the soul that is far greater than the rest of our bodies, and that rest comes only from the Lord Jesus Christ. What type of rest does Christ want to give to a lost soul? Matthew 11:28 (AMP): “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]” In this verse from the Gospel of Matthew, the word “rest” that Christ uses means “repose or a freedom from work, strain, or responsibility; the absence of mental or emotional stress or anxiety.” He is talking here about peace of mind. Not a false or made up peace, but the peace that only He can give. His peace enables a person to deal with the most tragic events of life with a calm confidence and assurance that such things are not happening in vain but for an eternal purpose. If we have truly entered into Christ’s rest, we will be eating His words daily and we will become daily what His word says, that we are kings and priests of God who are daily conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. When this rest comes upon us…it is Heaven here on earth! Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“The ‘peace’ here referred to is that by which a ‘union’ in worship and in feeling has been produced between the Jews and the Gentiles formerly they were alienated and separate. They had different objects of worship; different religious rites; different views and feelings. The Jews regarded the Gentiles with hatred, and the Gentiles the Jews with scorn. Now, says the Apostle, they are at peace. They worship the same God. They have the same Savior. They depend on the same Atonement. They have the same Hope. They look forward to the same Heaven. They belong to the same redeemed family. Reconciliation has not only taken place with God, but with each other. ‘The best way to produce peace between alienated minds is to bring them to the same Savior.’ That will do more to silence contentions, and to heal alienations, than any or all other means. Bring people around the same cross; fill them with love to the same Redeemer, and give them the same Hope of Heaven, and you put a period to alienation and strife. The love of Christ is so absorbing, and the dependence in His Blood so entire, that they will lay aside these alienations, and cease their contentions. The work of the Atonement is thus designed not only to produce peace with God, but peace between alienated and contending minds. The feeling that we are redeemed by the same Blood, and that we have the same Savior, will unite the rich and the poor, the bond and the free, the high and the low, in the ties of brotherhood, and make them feel that they are one.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 17

Paul reminds the Ephesians of being alienated from God before they heard the Gospel

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 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: KJV

Paul having completed his discourse, dissertation, or disclosure of God’s salvation to sinners in general now reminds these Ephesians of their previous status in the world as compared to that of Jews. First, he refers to them as “Gentiles in the flesh” (Ephesians 2:11). The English word Gentiles is not one commonly used to describe any people today, but back then this word was used exclusively (by Jews) to refer to any person or group of people that were not Jewish. The word Gentile is translated by the Greek word ethnos meaning a race or a tribe of people specifically (non-Jewish) or foreign; by implication a pagan or heathen because the people did not know, recognize, or follow YAWEH. Paul wanted them to remember or recall their status in the world especially among the Jewish people that were around them in order that their present “faith in Christ” would be strengthened and their gratitude to God the Father would increase seeing how He has brought them out of such dark spiritual practices into His Presence through the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Paul writes this to them to bring back to their remembrance the degrading, debasing, and demeaning way they were recognized in the world by many Jews as merely the “Uncircumcision” which meant nothing more than a dog to many Jews at that time. It was a term of reproach when used by the Jews in speaking of Gentiles. However, it was not YAWEH’s desire, design, and determination for the Jewish Nation to respond to the Gentile Nations in such a negative manner because He spoke these words through the Prophet Isaiah, “He said to Me, ‘You are My Servant, Israel, In Whom I will show My glory.” (Isaiah 49:3) and also these words, “And He said, ‘It is a light thing that thou shouldest be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.’” (Isaiah 49:6). It was God’s plan and purpose that Israel be a light to all Gentile Nations to show them the way to YAWEH, yet they thought they were chosen by YAWEH because they were a special people or better people than the Nations around them and so they developed a superior attitude and mentality.

Paul wants the Ephesians to be reminded that during that period of time of being alienated by the Jews and looked down on by them that that was not the worst part of their condition, but the fact that “ye were without Christ” (Ephesians 2:12). The English word without Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word choris which is an adverb having the idea of a chasm or vacancy (impassable interval), a gulf between, an empty room or a space that is separate or apart from others. In other words, these Ephesians and all other Gentiles were not privy to or at that time informed about the oracles of God or the utterances of God or more plainly the Word of God that prophesied of the coming of the future Messiah that would take away the sin of the world (Isaiah 9:6-7). Paul reminds these Ephesians that they did not even know themselves to be sinners having the wrath of God upon them (John 3:36) and certainly they did not know that there would be someone who would become sin for them and atone for or make up for, compensate or make reparation for their wrongdoing or causing offence (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Paul also refers to them as “being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12). The English phrase “being aliens” is translated by one Greek word apallotrioo meaning off, that is, away from something near, that is, another’s or not one’s own; to be estranged or passively and figuratively to be a non-participant. In other words, these Ephesian were shut out, locked out, or closed out of all the promises that belonged to Israel because of God’s Covenant with Abraham (which these Gentile Ephesians knew nothing of). Paul’s use of the English word “commonwealth” (not one normally used today to refer to a Nation of people) is translated by the Greek word politeia meaning citizenship or community. In other words, these Ephesian believers (before hearing the Gospel) were not a part of the community or Nation of the Jewish people who had God’s Word at their disposal to Govern their lives by, that is, they had no citizenship in Israel and therefore, could not know the Governing rule of the Law of God in their lives.

Likewise this fact made all of their worship vain and empty and even wicked because it was not worship of the One True God (YAWEH) and this is why Paul wrote these words to the Roman believers (speaking of the Jewish Nation), “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.” (Romans 3:1-2). We know now that the Jews rejected the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and because of their unbelief they are at the present time blind spiritually as a Nation (Romans 3:3 & Romans 11:25). This is why Paul wants them to see how blessed they are now that God the Father has given to them the gift of repentance to life (Acts 11:18).

Because they were at one time “strangers from the covenants of promise” (Ephesians 2:12) (that is they were completely ignorant of them) that Israel took for granted and it caused Paul to lament (strongly express his grief and regret for his Nation Israel) with these words, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9:1-5).

Paul concluded them at the time prior to hearing the Gospel of “having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12), which meant they were living under false hope of better things to come when worshipping their idol the goddess Diana (which was no god at all) and they were in essence godless or practical atheist, even though they carried on in their pagan worship as Paul said in this manner to the Corinthian believers, “You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.” (1 Corinthians 12:2) and in this manner to the Galatian believers, “But at that previous time, when you had not come to be acquainted with {and} understand {and} know the true God, you [Gentiles] were in bondage to gods who by their very nature could not be gods at all [gods that really did not exist].” (Galatians 4:8).

My own Personal Note: Paul has done a masterful job in reminding these Ephesian brethren of their ignorance, darkness, and alienation from God, and so is it for all of us before we hear the Gospel of Grace and are born again. This was my spiritual condition before Grace came in as I described in this Excerpt from my Book Entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs, “I was not willing to give honor to God as God. I was far from the Grace of God and the Blood of Christ. I was a carnal natural man through and through. I wanted to be in control of my own life. In fact, I thought I was in control. I thought I was having fun and living the good life. My mind became fixated on pornography, masturbation, strip clubs, and fornication. My heart was given over to the free indulgence of these sinful desires. Proverbs 5:22 (AMP): ‘His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man and he shall be held with the cords of his sin.’”

“The CONJECTURES of heathen philosophers as to a future life were at best vague and utterly unsatisfactory. They had no divine ‘promise,’ and therefore no sure ground of ‘hope.’ Epicurus and Aristotle did not believe in it at all. The Platonists believed the soul passed through perpetual changes, now happy, and then again miserable; the Stoics, that it existed no longer than till the time of the general burning up of all things.” JFB Commentary

“When the Apostle says ‘without God in the world,’ this qualification is both reproachful and sorrowful. To be without God in the world that He has made, where His ‘eternal power and Godhead’ have been visible from creation, argues a darkened and perverted heart. To be without God in the world is to be in the wilderness, without a guide; on a stormy ocean, without harbor or pilot; in sickness of spirit, without medicine or physician; to be hungry without bread, and weary without rest, and dying with no light of life. It is to be an orphaned child, wandering in an empty, ruined house.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 16

Paul reminds the Ephesians of what God the Father prepared for them “in Christ”

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. KJV

We human beings over the centuries have admired and even highly esteemed great human artist in the past such as Picasso, Van Gouge, and others for the great works of art they created, so much so that many of their works are worth millions of U S dollars today. Paul is not concerned with the greatness or supposed greatness of any men, but he now concludes his great essay analyzing the greatest of all artist God the Father the Creator of Heaven and Earth by declaring to these Ephesian believers and every one of us today who have been made alive from spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1) to be God’s greatest work of art. Paul declares us to be His “workmanship” and this English word is translated by the Greek word poiema which means to make or to do; a product or literally and figuratively the thing that is made. In other words, when these Ephesians and every one of us today were made alive from being dead in trespasses and sins, we were re-created (created anew) internally or in our inner man and inner woman by the Greatest Artist of all our Father in Heaven.

Paul declares these Ephesians and every one of us today to be “created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10). The English word created is translated by the Greek word ktizo which means to form, shape, i.e. to completely change or transform; through the idea of proprietorship of the manufacturer (God the Father in this case). In other words, God the Father has changed us making us different in nature “in Christ Jesus”. Paul affirms also the previous two verses Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is all of God and that both the grace and the faith is a part of the free gift or the Greek word for gift doran meaning a present or specifically a sacrifice and that sacrifice is the Blood of Christ Jesus who we are created anew in and by.

These Ephesians and every one of us today are the handiwork of God the Father through the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus Christ, He has fashioned and forged us into the “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17) that we are. This new creation or workmanship/poiema is completely spiritual for we still live inside our decaying, deteriorating, and dying earthly bodies, but as Paul declared to the Corinthian believers our focus is on the eternally re-created real man or real woman inside of us, “Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying {and} wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing {and} producing {and} achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], Since we consider {and} look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless {and} everlasting.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). It is only by the Power of God that we have become these new creatures and our moral and spiritual renewal is not of anything which we have done or will ever do and this fact is the cause for Paul saying “lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9).

Finally, Paul declares that these Ephesians and every one of us today have been made new by God “unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The English word good Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word agathos meaning beautiful or figuratively of moral excellence and morally valuable or virtuous; honest and upright. In other words, when God the Father re-creates us, it is in His own image we are re-made and consequently we should bear the likeness of God in our inner man or inner woman as Paul explained to these very same Ephesians latter on in this same letter with these words, “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:17-24).

God the Father “hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The English phrase “hath before ordained” Paul uses here is translated by one Greek word proetoimazo which means to fit up or make ready in advance or prepare beforehand or to prepare in advance. Our Heavenly Father has already prepared a new pathway of spiritual life for us to live by that is in accordance with His Eternal Will that is for our benefit and that will allow us to reap harvest of good and not of evil, and He gives us His Power to overcome sin in our hearts and in this world that when acted upon brings about destruction in our souls/psuche which means the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart) as the Apostle Peter pleaded with the Jewish converts to Christ to do when he said, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds {and} display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied {and} have received mercy. Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers {and} exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].” (1 Peter 2:9-12).

My own Personal Note: 2 Corinthians 3:17 (AMP): “Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” What does this word “liberty” actually mean? Well this English word liberty comes from the Greek word eleutheria, which means “freedom; moral or ceremonial freedom.” What does this moral freedom produce? Christ is the Spirit who takes away that covering by working in hearts. The Law itself also works in hearts, though in vain because the Law speaks to the spiritually dead (those who are dead in trespasses and sin). The Holy Spirit makes alive or brings life (as I stated in chapter 9). The Lord Jesus Christ is represented as the Spirit. Christ is the end of the law for justification and righteousness to all who believe. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, and He is the dispenser of all gifts, graces, and influences. When I received the Gospel, the Spirit of the Lord was given to me. The Spirit of the Lord lives and works in me to bring this liberty or freedom from the slavery of sin and sin’s power. The Spirit of God gives light and clearness of view. This is a general truth. The Spirit of God removes obscurity and enables me to see truth plainly and clearly. This truth cannot be denied. Under the influence of the Spirit of the Lord, therefore, the Apostle Paul proclaims that he was able to speak with openness, and boldness. He had a clear view of truth and thus the Gospel that he preached was open, plain, and clear. The word “freedom” perhaps better conveys the idea. Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“The Apostle having before ascribed this change to Divine Grace in exclusion of works, lest he should seem thereby to discourage good works, he here observes that though the change is to be ascribed to nothing of that nature (for we are the workmanship of God), yet God, in His new creation, has designed and prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that we should be fruitful in them. Wherever God by His Grace implants good principles, they are intended to be for good works. Which God hath before ordained, that is, decreed and appointed. Or, the words may be read, To which God hath before prepared us, that is, by blessing us with the knowledge of His Will, and with the assistance of His Holy Spirit; and by producing such a change in us. That we should walk in them, or glorify God by an exemplary conversation and by our perseverance in holiness.” Matthew Henry

“The metal is molten as it runs out of the blast furnace, but it soon cools and hardens. Paul’s teaching about salvation by grace and by faith came in a hot stream from his heart, but to this generation his words are apt to sound coldly, and hardly theological. But they only need to be reflected upon in connection with our own experience, to become vivid and vital again. The belief that a man may work towards salvation is a universal heresy. And the Apostle, in the context, summons all his force to destroy that error, and to substitute the great truth that we have to begin with an act of God’s, and only after that can think about our acts. To work up towards salvation is, in the strict sense of the words, preposterous; it is inverting the order of things. It is beginning at the wrong end. It is saying X Y Z before you have learnt to say A B C. We are to work downwards from salvation because we have it, not that we may get it. And whatever ‘good works’ may mean, they are the consequences, not the causes, of ‘salvation,’ whatever that may mean. But they are consequences, and they are the very purpose of it.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 15

Paul reminds the Ephesians of how God the Father redeemed them “in Christ”

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. KJV

Paul now declares to these Ephesians the method of their salvation. This verse of scripture has been long debated by many Christian scholars over the many centuries as to whether or not both the grace and faith is given to the lost sinner at his or her conversion. First, Paul uses the English word “for” at the very beginning of this sentence and this word is translated by the Greek word gar which is a primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument or explanation). We can conclude that Paul is using this word “for/gar” showing these Ephesians the reason and explaining to them (by way of argument asserting that the evidence is not refutable). In other words, Paul recounting his own personal experience of salvation in his own heart and mind sees clearly that he was completely passive in his conversion to Christ and he likewise makes this assertion to these Ephesians and to us today to do likewise and in so doing we can come to nothing but the same conclusion.

The reason Paul declares is “by grace” and this English phrase is translated by the Greek word charis meaning spiritually the Divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life as it is used by Paul here. In other words, the spiritual power of charis is what made these Ephesians turn away from their pagan worship of the goddess Diana and all their sexually immoral practices and occult practices associated with said worship to love and follow the One True God our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Charis influenced their inner man and inner woman in such a powerful, profound, and positive way that all of their former beliefs were illuminated for the darkness that it really and actually was during the many years they lived in it as we recall Paul declared earlier with these words, “In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course {and} fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. Among these we as well as you once lived {and} conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath {and} heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:2-3).

This mighty, magnificent, and marvelous grace/charis will be what these Ephesian believers and every true believer of every generation worship and give praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in Heaven for all eternity. Paul uses the English word “are” translated by the Greek word este meaning have been or past tense. In other words, Paul is writing to those Ephesians who have already experienced this grace/charis and had their lives changed by the Divine influence of the Holy Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13). Paul goes on to use the English phrase “ye saved” translated by the Greek word sozo meaning to be safe, delivered, and protected; to be healed, to be preserved, and to be made whole. Here is what Alexander MaLaren had to say in defining salvation, “The Christian salvation is, on its negative side, a deliverance from something impending-peril-and a healing of something infecting us-the sickness of sin. It is a deliverance; what from? Take, in the briefest possible language, three sayings of Scripture to answer that question-what am I to be saved from? ‘His name shall be called Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.’ He ‘delivers’-or saves-’us from the wrath to come.’ He ‘saves a soul from death.’ Sin, wrath, death, death spiritual as well as physical, these are the dangers which lie in wait; and the enemies which have laid their grip upon us. And from these, as the shepherd drags the kid from the claws of the lion or the bear’s hug, the salvation of the Gospel wrenches and rescues men.”

Paul now moves on to declare to these Ephesians and to us today that this grace/charis comes “through faith” to us. The English word through is translated by the Greek word dia which is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act. The English word faith is translated by the Greek word pistis meaning reliance upon Christ for salvation. In other words, faith in Jesus Christ including His death, burial, and bodily resurrection from the dead as wells as His Person being born of a virgin, being sinless, being 100% God and 100% Man is the channel or the conveyor belt of receiving grace/charis that saves. Now we enter into the cause for controversy or confusion on the part of many of our Lord Jesus’ sons and daughters of every time including this present time period. Paul now goes on to use the English word “that” which is translated by the Greek word touto which is neuter, nomitive, accusative, or singular meaning that thing. Because the word neuter means to refer to an inanimate object and the word singular means a single item or unit, then that/touto refers to the entire preceding clause or expression including a subject and predicate that does not form or compose a complete sentence, “For by grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

In other words, no sinner has anything to do with the grace/charis or the channel faith/pistis, that thing or touto is all from God (His free gift) to these Ephesians and to us today, as Paul so eloquently declared to the Roman believers with these words, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24). Paul declares that this salvation from God to these Ephesians and to us today is totally and without any argument on anyone’s part stemming from or growing out of, or having root in, or originating in anything inherently good (of moral virtue or value) in us by our human effort to be accepted, approved, or adored by God but only in the lifting up of the Son of Man and He will draw all men unto Him as our Lord Jesus said with these words, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32).

My own Personal Note: John 10:10 (AMP): “The thief (the devil) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Christ) came that they may have and enjoy life (God’s life transmitted in us), and have it in abundance (to the full, until it overflows).” Christ came to bestow mercy not to denounce judgment upon us. He came to save poor lost wandering sinners. That is exactly the description of Clifford D. Tate, Sr. and you, my friend, before Jesus delivers us. Christ came to restore us to the favor of God and the life of God, to raise us up and bring us out of our degradation. Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“Trust; that is the condition. The salvation rises from the heart of God. You cannot touch the stream at its source, but you can tap it away down in its flow. What do you want machinery and pumps for? Put a yard of wooden pipe into the river, and your house will have all the water it needs. So, dear brethren, here is the condition-it is a condition only, for there is no virtue in the act of trust, but only in that with which we are brought into living union when we do trust. When salvation comes, into my heart by faith it is not my faith but God’s grace that puts salvation there. Faith is only the condition, ay! but it is the indispensable condition. How many ways are there of getting possession of a gift? One only, I should suppose, and that is, to put out a hand and take it. If salvation is by grace it must be ‘through faith.’ If you will not accept you cannot have. That is the plain meaning of what theologians call justification by faith; that pardon is given on condition of taking it. If you do not take it you cannot have it. And so this is the upshot of the whole-trust, and you have. Oh, dear friends! open your eyes to see your dangers. Let your conscience tell you of your sickness. Do not try to deliver, or to heal yourselves. Self-reliance and self-help are very good things, but they leave their limitations, and they have no place here. ‘Every man his own Redeemer’ will not work. You can no more extricate yourself from the toils of sin than a man can release himself from the folds of a python. You can no more climb to heaven by your own effort than you can build a railway to the moon. You must ‘sue in forma pauperis’, and be content to accept as a boon an unmerited place in your Father’s heart, an undeserved seat at His bountiful table, an unearned share in His wealth, from the hands of your Elder Brother, in whom is all His grace, and who gives salvation to every sinner if he will trust Him. ‘By grace have ye been saved through faith.’” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 14

Paul reminds the Ephesians of why God the Father redeemed them “in Christ”

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. KJV

The English word purpose is defined as an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions. The purposes and plans of human beings (even those of us who are redeemed) can be sullied and stained by the fallen nature that man is born with that can turn good intentions into something that does not benefit anyone because the motives are wrong. However, Paul here is detailing for these Ephesians and for us today the pure/unsullied eternal purpose that God the Father had in sending Jesus Christ the Messiah into the earth as he wrote in this manner to Brother Timothy, “[For it is He] Who delivered {and} saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy {and} leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of {and} to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].” (2 Timothy 1:9).

The redemption of lost men and women was His eternal purpose; i.e. buying these Ephesian sinners and every repentant sinner of every generation or of all the ages back from the clutches of the devil’s control and authority (Colossians 1:13-14), even as our Lord Jesus Christ declared to the disciples with these very words, “Behold! I have given you authority {and} power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20). The English word ages Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word aion which simply means that it encompasses the past, present, and future or in other words perpetuity.

For example, we can read about men and women that were regenerated and born again to a living hope by God the Father through Christ Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit hundreds of years before any of us today were ever born into the earth realm (including these Ephesian believers Paul is writing to). Therefore, in them we have witnesses of God’s Divine pure purpose that is likewise for us and the ages/aions to come after us, because God is no respecter of persons and He declares all men “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) despite future generations thinking themselves to be more highly sophisticated than the past generations. One example would be a man well known (even in the secular world) named John Newton (1725-1807) of London, England who wrote the song entitled “Amazing Grace”. John Newton was a brutal and cruel slave trader and slave owner who ended up becoming a slave himself, but the Grace of God found him, forgave him, and freed him spiritually and led him to write that song “Amazing Grace” that is sung throughout this world today.

Paul declares that it is God the Father’s purpose that “He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace” (Ephesians 2:7) to lost humanity. It is for His Own Glory that God the Father has redeemed every repentant sinner that has come to Him through our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. John Newton found God to be rich in grace to him. Also, John Newton’s salvation serves as a testimony to our generation today and to future generations of God the Father “being rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). Many people who are still unsaved and unredeemed find it hard to believe in or trust a God who would sit back or stand by and watch all the evil in this world continue without His intervention, but the truth is that He has already intervened to put down evil and the wicked one by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection from the dead 2,000 years ago. Every time someone like John Newton, these Ephesians (who worshipped the goddess Diana), and me (Clifford Tate, Sr.) are redeemed, He is showing forth proof or evidence of “His great love with which He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4) fallen sinful men.

The Apostle Paul considered himself the greatest proof or evidence of God’s mercy to sinful humanity when he said this of himself in writing to Brother Timothy, “And the grace (unmerited favor and blessing) of our Lord [actually] flowed out superabundantly {and} beyond measure for me, accompanied by faith and love that are [to be realized] in Christ Jesus. The saying is sure {and} true and worthy of full {and} universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth {and} display all His perfect long-suffering {and} patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:14-16). God the Father has shown tremendous kindness to these Ephesians and us today by giving us our Lord Jesus Christ and everything we have and we are is all owed to Him alone, and it can be summed up in these words written by the Apostle Paul to Titus, “But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity {and} mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.” (Titus 3:4-7).

My own Personal Note: Luke 10:19 (AMP): “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.” Make no mistake: All of my victories over Satan are a product of power derived or received from the Lord Jesus Christ. I give Him all the praise and glory. The more simply dependent I am on the teaching, help, and blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the more I will know of His grace to conquer pornography and masturbation (sexual addiction), the more blessed I will be in seeing the glory and hearing the words of the Lord Jesus and the more useful I will be in promoting Christ’s cause by letting His grace transform me so that I am holy as He is holy and pure as He is pure. Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs

“Heaven, the home of the redeemed, will exhibit the most impressive proof of the goodness of God that the universe furnishes. There will be a countless host who were once polluted and lost; who were dead in sins; who were under the power of Satan, and who have been saved by the riches of the divine grace - a host now happy and pure, and free from sin, sorrow, and death - the living and eternal monuments of the grace of God.” Albert Barnes

“As an artist in his noblest work paints or chisels simply for love of pouring out his soul, so, but in infinitely loftier fashion, the great Artist delights to manifest Himself, and in manifesting to communicate somewhat of Himself. Creation is divine self-revelation, and we might say, with all reverence, that God acts as birds sing, and fountains leap, and stars shine. But our text leads us still farther into mysteries of glory, when it defines what it is in God that He most desires to set forth. It is the ‘exceeding riches of Grace,’ in which wonderful expression we note the Apostle’s passionate accumulation of epithets which he yet feels to be altogether inadequate to his theme. It would carry us too far to attempt to bring out the whole wealth contained in these words which glide so easily over unthinking lips, but we may lovingly dwell for a few moments upon them. Grace, in Paul’s language, means love lavished upon the undeserving and sinful, a love which is not drawn forth by the perception of any excellence in its objects, but wells up and out like a fountain, by reason of the impulse in its subject, and which in itself contains and bestows all good and blessing. It is the elixir in which they are all contained, the molten splendor into which have been dissolved gold and jewels and all precious things. When we look at Christ, we see the divinest thing in God, and that is His grace.” Alexander MacLaren

“God’s mercy regards us as we are weak and miserable: His love regards us as we are, in spite of trespass and offence, His offspring, -objects of ‘much love’ amid much displeasure, ‘even when we were dead through our trespasses.’ What does the story of the prodigal son mean but this? and what Christ’s great word to Nicodemus?-Grace (John 3:16) and kindness are love’s executive. Grace is love in administration, love counteracting sin and seeking our salvation. Christ is the embodiment of grace; the cross its supreme expression; the gospel its message to mankind; and Paul himself its trophy and witness. The ‘overpassing riches’ of grace is that affluence of wealth in which through Christ it ‘super abounded’ to the apostolic age and has outdone the magnitude of sin, (Romans 5:20) in such measure that St. Paul sees future ages gazing with wonder at its benefactions to himself and his fellow-believers. Shown ‘in kindness toward us,’ he says, -in a condescending fatherliness, that forgets its anger and softens its old severity into comfort and endearment. God’s kindness is the touch of His hand, the accent of His voice, the cherishing breath of His Spirit.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 13

Paul reminds the Ephesians of where they are “in Christ”

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

Paul twice (2) within the first five (5) verses of this second (2) chapter has used the phrase “hath quickened” to describe what God the Father has done for these Ephesians and us today in making us alive spiritually to Him through our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Now Paul reminds these Ephesians and us today where the quickening Power of God has placed us. Paul uses the phrase “hath raised us up together” (Ephesians 2:6) and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word sunegeiro meaning to rouse or awaken from death; to give new life to one by reviving, repairing, and recreating them spiritually, that is, in company with, by association, companionship, resemblance, process, possession, and instrumentality with Jesus Christ the Messiah; it denotes union with Christ, including completeness.

In other words, Paul declares to these Ephesians and to us that we are raised up or elevated “spiritually” instantly upon trusting Jesus Christ the Messiah because of our union or being joined spiritually into His Mystical Body as Paul wrote in this manner to the Corinthian believers, “For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) also as Paul declared in this manner to the Colossian believers, “[Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead. And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colossians 2:12-13).

It is the quickening Power of God through the Holy Spirit that makes our spirit alive to God the Father and lifts us up from the drowning death of our sin into a new life hungering and thirsting after and for righteousness being flooded with a desire to please God the Father by following His Word and mourning and grieving when we displease Him in rebellion and disobedience. This was never our desire before being quickened (Ephesians 2:2-3). Paul informs these Ephesians and us today that God the Father sees us “in Christ” and seated or that is, in the same ascended position Christ Jesus is right now seated at the Right Hand of the Father (Colossians 3:1 & Hebrews 10:12). Paul declares these Ephesians and us today who truly are “in Christ” to be triumphantly victorious despite our trials, test, and tribulations down here in the earth realm because God the Father has “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).

Paul wants these Ephesians and us today to see ourselves always and at all times from the Father’s perspective or point of view, for He already sees us glorified in His Presence as Paul wrote in this manner to the believers in Rome, “And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].” (Romans 8:30). Paul wants these Ephesians and us today to never take for granted, or treat lightly the reality that we are eternally exalted and united with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ right now as Paul declared with these words to the Philippian believers, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21). Paul wants these Ephesians and us today to be in constant expectation of the real world the eternal world where we sit with Christ Jesus our Lord continually looking for the high calling in Christ (Philippians 3:14) that will be the consummation, culmination, and completion of our salvation when we will see Him (Christ Jesus) face to face, therefore, we should look for, long for, and live for this final call “in Christ” in such a way that we will not be ashamed in His Presence. 

My own Personal Note: Those who are dead regard nothing. They are unaffected by the cares, pleasures, and amusements of the world. They hear neither the voice of happiness nor any of the “living” going on over or around their graves. That is how it was with me while I was under Satan’s authority. I was unmoved with the things of Christ. I could not hear the voice of God, nor did I see His majesty, splendor, and loveliness. I was unmoved and unconcerned by His threatening. Nevertheless, Christ is “life.” I now live my life with God. I feel and act as if God is all that matters (which, of course is true). The happiness of Heaven is living for God, being sensible of His presence, glory, and power, and rejoicing in that. My conduct and behavior now gives me the life and happiness that shall be everlasting. It is life begun, expanded, ripening toward Heaven! I have already entered into my inheritance, that inheritance that is everlasting. God destroyed Satan’s authority in my life. John 12:31 (AMP): “Now is the judgment of this world: Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs

“How wonderful to have witnessed a resurrection: to see the pale cheek of the little maid, Jairus’ daughter, flush again with the tints of life, and the still frame begin to stir, and the eyes softly open-and she looks upon the face of Jesus! or to watch Lazarus, four days dead, coming out of his tomb, slowly, and as one dreaming, with hands and feet bound in the grave-clothes. Still more marvelous to have beheld the Prince of Life at the dawn of the third day issue from Joseph’s grave, bursting His prison-gates and stepping forth in new-risen glory as one refreshed from slumber. But there are things no less divine, had we eyes for their marvel, that take place upon this earth day by day. When a human soul awakes from its trespasses and sins, when the love of God is poured into a heart that was cold and empty, when the Spirit of God breathes into a spirit lying powerless and buried in the flesh, there is as true a rising from the dead as when Jesus our Lord came out from His sepulcher. It was of this spiritual resurrection that He said: ‘The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.’” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

“Notice, also, the past tense which describes the finality of Christ’s work, Ephesians 2:5-6. In the purpose of God we have been raised from the grave of sin and are seated with the Risen Lord in the place of acceptance and victory. We were one with Christ when He lay in the grave and arose. In God’s thought we have already taken our seat with the glorified Christ upon the throne; only the pity is that we do not believe this or act as if we had done so.” F. B. Meyer

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 12

Paul reminds the Ephesians of God’s Great Love for them

Ephesians 2:4-5 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, (by grace ye are saved;) KJV

Paul having completed his discourse to these Ephesians detailing for them the complete deadness of their spiritual condition before hearing the Gospel, now reminds them of God the Father’s Great Love for them. Although the language in the previous two verses (Ephesians 2:2-3) was filled up with such horrible facts about these Ephesians, and Paul, and all of us today, Paul completely changes gears going back to his train of thought in Ephesians 2:1 by using the English word “But” which is translated by the Greek word de which is a primary particle an adversative expressing antithesis or opposition; Introduces something in contrast or unexpected; however, on the contrary. In other words, Paul is declaring that God is not driven back or away from these Ephesians because of them being dead spiritually to Him in their trespasses and sins. Instead, Paul declares God the Father to be “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). The English word rich is translated by the Greek word plousios meaning abounding in or existing in abundance. The English word mercy is translated by the Greek word eleos meaning Divine compassion or a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering, that is tender and active; understanding the suffering and wanting to do something about it; it is the overflowing and endless wealth of God to fallen man.

In other words, God the Father sympathizes with man’s fallen/corrupt nature, for it was not His desire or intent in our original design, but because the first man (Adam) disobeyed, man’s corrupted nature is the result, but He gives His mercy to all who will ask for it that they might be blessed despite being born with a corrupt nature. Therefore, because of “His great love wherewith He loved us” (Ephesians 2:4), He has shown us said love by way of His mercy to these Ephesians and to us by not giving us what we deserve which is His Wrath and Judgement, but instead giving us His Grace that we do not deserve through our Lord Jesus Christ as Paul wrote in this manner to the Thessalonian believers, “And [how you] look forward to {and} await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead--Jesus, Who personally rescues {and} delivers us out of {and} from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] {and} draws us to Himself [investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah].” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

By Nature God is Love (1 John 4:8); by nature we are un-loving (Romans 3:10-18). God’s Love for sinners pities their state of sinful bondage and enslavement and it is from His Great Love that pours out mercy. It is not His Love for sinners that saves sinners from their sins, it is His Love for sinners that gave us the “mercy seat” (Christ Jesus our Lord) (John 3:16) upon which our sin was placed as Paul declared it in this manner explaining to the Corinthian believers, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). It is in our natural state or condition with only our corrupted nature within us that God expresses His Great Love through mercy and grace to us.

Perhaps the greatest picture of God the Father’s love for rebellious sinners is found in the relationship of King David to his son Absalom. Absalom had organized an uprising against his Father King David in order that he would overthrow his Father and sit on his Father’s Throne as King of Israel (2 Samuel 15). However, when we fast forward to 2 Samuel 18 we find King David completely grief stricken over the news of the death of his rebellious son Absalom and here are the documenting words, “Behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, ‘Let my lord the king receive good news, for the LORD has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.’ Then the king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And the Cushite answered, ‘Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be as that young man!’ The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And thus he said as he walked, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’” (2 Samuel 18:31-33). The cry of the heart of King David was that he would have died in the place of his son Absalom, and this is exactly what God the Father did for these Ephesians and for us today, on the Cross our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ died in our place that we would be forgiven of all our trespasses and sins, past, present, and future sins. We will never have one sin charged to our account as this same King David spoke of in this very manner when he said, “Just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. ‘Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.’ (Romans 4:6-8). Amen! Is there any greater Love than this?

Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV): “The Lord has appeared from of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you.” When many people read the Old Testament they see a vengeful, mean, and angry God. The Jehovah of the Old Testament, however, is the Lord Jesus of the New Testament. The Lord said I am the Lord and I change not. The Lord Jesus Christ was not different in His incarnation when He walked on earth as a man. He showed compassion above any man who ever lived. But along with His loving-kindness, He always displayed His contempt for sin. When we begin to be in want for nothing but intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ we will see Him as He really is through and through. We will never come to know all the depth of His love and His nature or character. Excerpt from my Book entitled, “Silent Assassins of the Soul: Finding Freedom from Sexual Impurity through the Lord Jesus Christ, A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs”

“God by His love does not, because He cannot, raise these dead souls into a life of righteousness without Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ comes to be the channel and the medium through which the love of God may attain its end. God’s pitying love, because ‘He is rich in mercy,’ is not turned away by man’s sin; and God’s pitying love, because ‘He is rich in mercy,’ quickens men not by a bare will, but by the mission and work of His Dear Son.” Alexander MacLaren

“Mercy is a perfection of the Divine Nature, and is essential to God; and may be considered with respect to the objects of it, either as general, extending to all men in a providential way; or as special, reaching only to some in a way of grace; for though mercy is His Nature, yet the display and exertion of it towards any object, is the act of His Will; and special mercy, with all the blessings and benefits of it, is only exhibited in Christ Jesus: and God is said to be ‘rich’ in it, because He is free and liberal in dispensing it, and the effects of it; and that to a large number of persons, in great abundance and variety, by various ways, and in divers instances; as in the covenant of grace, in the mission of Christ, in redemption by Him, in regeneration, in pardon of sin, and in eternal salvation; and yet it is inexhaustible and perpetual; and this sets forth the excellency and glory of it.” Dr. John Gill

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…