Guided by "An Overview of the New Testament" by John Malseed
Ephesians 1
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
What did God choose us to be?
Holy and blamless in His sight with Love
What is the seal of our salvation?
The Holy Spirit which is also a promise of our inheritance in the fulness of times
How does Paul explain the power that is at work in us?
God has given us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, so that we might know His calling. This power is the same that raised Christ from the dead.
Since Paul called all the believers at Ephesus "saints." can we deduce that all believers are saints? At what moment does one become a saint?It is never mentioned in the bible that there are certain requirements to be a "saint" as most people think. A saint is someone who is a believer in Christ. Here are some scriptures that refer to God's saints:
Daniel 7:27 (KJV)
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Romans 1:7 (KJV)
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:27 (KJV)
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalm 16:3 (NKJV)
3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
Redemption means "to be purchased out of slavery." Is it possible to return What was the price paid for our redemption?
Christ bought us with His blood. His blood was a payment for our sins and all the sins past present and future. God demanded blood as payment for sin, blood of a spotless lamb. Jesus was our spotless lamb. He bought us out of the slavery to sin and to the slavery we were in to the devil and hell. He paid the price once and for all, and we can never go back!
Hebrews 9:12 (KJV)
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Who is the guarantee of our security?
God's power is our security in our salvation and inheritance. The power of His spirit, His son, the faith he has given us.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (KJV)
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In what ways am I seeking to live a life that is pleasing to God?
In my workplace and interactions with unbelievers, I do my best to represent Christ. In my actions and words, the way I handle conflict, I show people the love of God in me, and the love He has for them.
How does my daily walk in serving others bring glory to God?
Jesus said in Matthwe 25:35-36:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
When I am helping another person, showing kindness, feeding, clothing, changing diapers etc. I am doing it unto the Lord.
Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Sometimes I forget that my work with children and people in need is not valuable. Bug God says that His children are important to Him, and He appreciates those who take care of them.
