#rightdivision

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Chapter two of Ephesians is going to teach us about being separated.  Another word for separated is sanctified.  We were spiritually dead, separated from God because of our sin, but through believing in Christ’s finished work on the cross we are made alive (quickened).  Because Christ rose from the dead by his own power, his spirit gives life to those who believe.

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, Notice that there is a time element mentioned here.  Time past, or before something happened.  Before we believed and trusted the gospel of the Grace of God we walked like the rest of the unbelieving world.  We walked according to the lust of our eyes and the want of our flesh with misplaced desires for ourselves rather than for God and his will, (2 Tim 3:4 ).

What is the course of this world? It’s the present evil age (Gal 1:4) in the custody of the enemy, (2 Cor 4:4,) who has blinded the unbeliever to the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ.   Rom 1:18-32 details the world’s course.

We are a three-part being: body, soul and spirit. Our default nature is prone to lust which is a desire to please ourselves above anyone else including God.

1 John 2:16 talks about the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life…this is the definition of the course of this world.

The lust of the flesh is seeking my own pleasure.  What have I done in my life?  What experiences have I had?  What pleases me?

The lust of the eyes is seeking possessions.  How much can I get?  I want more than my neighbor has.  It’s all about getting more stuff and it’s never enough.

The pride of life is seeking power or praise.  My position in society, work, intelligence, beauty, etc., is above everyone else’s.  What can I be so that other people will bring me praise?

In order to understand and appreciate God’s grace, we need to feel the gravity and the eternality of our sin.  We still live in a fleshly body and we need to fight the desires of those things that will easily entangle us back into the course of this world.  The fight against these things is how we learn to walk after the spirit!  

Forego seeking temporal pleasure in exchange for seeking the eternal glory of Christ.

Forego seeking possessions, for the riches and glory in Christ that are already yours.  

Forego seeking your own praise for the praise of others and even more so God.

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,...

We know that right now Christ is reigning in heaven as our Head.  That position has never been, nor will ever be usurped by the enemy.  But Satan won the deed to rule and reign over the earth when Adam sinned so, for now, we fight against this present evil age, (Eph 6:12). Jesus reigns FAR ABOVE all principalities, power, might, and dominion even though it may seem chaotic down here on earth right now.

…and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Phil 2:9-10)

What’s in a name?  Well, if it’s the name of Jesus, and it’s God’s son, then everything! Because Jesus is God!  His glorious rule and reign will be proven when the last thing, death, is finally put under his feet. (1Cor 15:24-26)

Eph 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body...

Christ was given to be the head of this body, this new creature that was made to include everyone and anyone who would believe in His finished work, (Col 1:18, 3:10-11).  Christ living in us, by grace, through faith, is the mystery that Paul preaches!  (Col 1:27) We are complete in him! (Col 2:10)

2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Understanding his calling, his riches, and his power in us by his grace is the knowledge of Christ according to the mystery, (Eph 1:17-19).  We should be moving heaven and earth to gain this knowledge by studying his word (2 Tim 2:15). Christ, our head is in heaven.  The rest of the body remains here on earth.  We wait, patiently, for his glorious appearing at the rapture of the church.  It is then that we will be physically joined together and recognize the fullness of all the unsearchable riches of Christ in us.

…the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

Christ fills all things by being in all things both in heaven and on earth.  When the fullness of time has come in, everything will be in him.

That 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: Eph 1:10,

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  Col 1:16

“This is the mystery: that Christ risen from the dead, seated at the right hand of God, is the Head and those who believe on Him constitute the Church, His body. This body is destined, according to the eternal purpose of God, to share the glory of the Head. This purpose is still in the future. The administration (or dispensation) of the fulness of times has not yet come. When it comes, all things, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, will be headed up in Christ.  Only He knows the exact time when the crowning event in the history of the Church, the gathering of the saints of God to meet Him in the air will take place. Perhaps in His infinite mercy He may still tarry to add more members to His Body, His own fullness, which filleth all in all” – (1942) – A.C. Gaebelein

Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,

Some might say that creation was the greatest evidence of God’s power.  After all, creating everything from nothing is pretty big!  What about turning water into wine?  Or feeding 5,000 men, twice!?  Those are indeed great, but not exceedingly great.  The greatest of God’s power revealed is the resurrection of a dead man!  But it doesn’t even stop there.  Christ was raised from the dead, walked around on earth for more than a month and then ascended into heaven…not just spiritually, but bodily.  The apostles, quite literally watched Jesus go up into heaven until they just couldn’t see him any longer.

…and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Christ sits in his bodily form in an exalted position at the right hand of God in heaven right now.  Because of his resurrection, by the power of God, his position encompasses all blessing, all authority, all power, all inheritance, all judgment, above everything! (Col 1:16)

This is why Paul’s gospel is more excellent than Peter’s gospel, (2 Tim 2:8). Under the mystery revealed, Christ’s real purpose for rising from the dead, was so that he would be placed above all things, creating a spiritual body that would inherit all the riches and all the power that is only found in him.  Without the resurrection we have none of that.

Peter’s gospel taught that Christ rose from the dead to fulfill prophecy and that he would come back to earth and reign as the King of Israel on earth.  This is a great truth and glorious for Israel who is waiting for her salvation and kingdom rule when Jesus returns to earth.

We don’t have to wait like Israel, though! Christ has given us this resurrection power right now! (Rom 6:3-5, 8:11).  It’s the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ unto salvation for those that believe, (Rom 1:16).  We have something far greater and more excellent than Israel had under their covenant.  Grace! (2 Cor 3:9-10).  

Phil 3:8-10 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Our faith is in the power of God; the resurrection proves that he is God, and is not in the wisdom of men, (1 Cor 2:5)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  Eph 3:20-21

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

This is the beginning of Paul’s prayer for the saints who are in Christ. He’s heard of their faith in Jesus and their love for all the saints which is encouraging to him. They are on his mind constantly, so naturally, he prays for them, unceasingly.

We are also told to pray without ceasing, (1 Thess 5:17).  This doesn’t mean it’s the only thing you should do all day long, but that you should continue the practice of prayer until it becomes second nature.  It shouldn’t be a burden, but it is a privilege!  Praying builds our faith.  Without prayer, our faith would wither and die.  Christ is our head.  Prayer is where we find the connection to that head with our bodies while still on earth.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom

Paul prayers that God would give them the “spirit of wisdom.”  Paul defines what the spirit of wisdom is in 1Cor 1:24.  Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God! So Paul is praying that they get Christ!

…and revelation in the knowledge of him: We can’t know anything of God until he reveals it to us.  It’s a mystery until it is disclosed or discovered.  I had been a Christian for over 40 years and never knew the importance of the mystery of Christ until just a couple of years ago. Now that my eyes have been opened to the truth of his word, it makes sense that I should share it whenever possible.  

True knowledge comes from God alone.  The only place to find this knowledge is in the full inspired revelation of God’s written word revealed.  

Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints  

1 Cor 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

This is a direct quote from Isaiah, who didn’t know what riches in Christ were because it had not been revealed to him.  But we have the riches of Christ, and we can know!!!

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

(Eph 1:6, 12, 14). We don’t deserve his grace.  Everything we have, everything we are, and everything we will be when the fulness of times has come in is to the praise of his glory!  Magnify Him because of his purpose and his will for you in Christ!

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: How do we get the Holy Spirit?  How do we get in Christ?  There’s an order to salvation. First, you hear the gospel that Christ died, was buried and then raised from the dead, (1 Cor 15:1-4).  You believe the message and trust Christ’s finished work to pay your sin debt.  Nothing further than that is required.  You are immediately sealed by the Holy Spirit.  I know it’s popular to walk down an aisle, give a testimony of faith, get water baptized, and even say the “sinner’s prayer,” but none of these things contribute to your salvation.  These are works that are required by misled, and ignorant-of-the-truth denominational leaders or church groups.  Christ did the work; we do nothing but believe that work.

…in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Once you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, God dwells in you forever, (1 Cor 3:16). You cannot lose your salvation and he doesn’t leave you when you sin.  This is different than when David prayed “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Ps 51:11) Why?  Because it was possible that God might take away his spirit from one to whom it was given if they sinned against him.  This happened to both Samson and Saul, (Jud 16:20, 1Sam 16:14).  God dealt with man differently at that time; it’s not like that today.  It’s simply not possible during this dispensation.

We live in the “but now.” Once the Spirit of promise is given, it’s a done deal.  He will never, ever leave you…ever!  You are sealed and that means God knows you!  You are a son/daughter/heir and he knows his own! (Gal 4:6-9, 2 Tim 2:19) We have the privilege of calling him Father now that we are his adopted children, (Rom 8:15).

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer as a pledge or assurance to the future promise of our redemptive bodies in Christ.  This is not speaking of the redemption from our sins, Christ paid that price already.  Someday, our earthly bodies will be redeemed from the corruption that we are subject to while living in a world where sin rules, to the praise of his glory.

Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us

Abound – to have or possess in great quantity.  Where does this abounding happen?  According to verse 7, in the riches of his grace towards us!  Abounding is not only sufficient but immeasurable.  Rom 5:20 says: “...But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”  God abounds in grace and always gives over and above what we could ever ask or think.

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Cor 9:8)

…in all wisdom and prudence;

The world doesn’t know this kind of wisdom, (1 Cor 1:21,25). This wisdom is God’s purpose and plan to save all of humanity through Christ.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord – Eph 3:10-11

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory – 1 Cor 2:7-8

Prudence is the practical wisdom of doing what God has revealed in his word now that we know and understand what his will is.  We’ll learn more about that in chapters 4-6 of Ephesians.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:   His will is no longer a mystery!  If you think it is and insist on “trying to figure it out” read this verse over and over until you believe it!  If you catch yourself or someone else saying, “God works in mysterious ways,” you might want to remind yourself or them that his will was made known by the revelation of the mystery given to Paul, (Rom 16:25-26).  The manifold wisdom of God is revealed to us through his word!

Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:17)

If you’re not sure, do a word search on ‘God’s will’ in the Pauline Epistles.  Read every occurrence and by the time you come to the end of over 100 times, you’ll have a nice list of what God’s will is and what he’s doing during this dispensation of the age of his grace. As an example, thankfulness comes from a gratitude of what’s been given to you.  When you appreciate what you have received freely you become more thankful…which is his will for our lives, (1 Thess 5:18).

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption

In who? In Christ, we were redeemed.  We were redeemed from something, what is that? The obvious answer is sin (Rom 6:18)…but there is so much more!  

We were redeemed:   From the yoke of bondage to freedom. (Gal 5:1) From being a servant of sin to a servant of righteousness. (Rom 6:17-18) From all iniquity to purified people. (Titus 2:14) From the being under the Law to being a son. (Gal 4:5) From the curse of the law to the promise of the Spirit. (Gal 3:13-14) Sin and death to life in Christ! (Rom 8:2)

...through his blood, This three-little-word phrase is of the utmost importance.  Check your Bible translation in Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.  If your translation has omitted through his blood, I would caution you to consider finding another translation!

Whenever you read this phrase, remember how Christ’s blood was not only necessary but extremely precious, (1 Pet 1:18-19, Rom 3:25).  If we were able to do genetic testing on Jesus’ blood, it would be different than any other human blood.  Jesus’ blood was the only sinless human blood in all of history because it came from, and belonged to, God alone. Not in the sense that he created it like he created us, but because Jesus was fully God and fully man. His blood was eternal, almighty, pure, flawless, and unique before he ever humbled himself and was clothed with humanity.  Jesus’ blood was the only blood that could rightly and judicially pay for our sins because his blood was not from an earthly father but the pure, spotless, holy blood of God our heavenly father himself.  You were bought with a huge price! (Acts 20:28).  

...the forgiveness of sins, How do you get forgiveness? Not everyone is automatically forgiven.  You have to know where to get this forgiveness.  You have to be IN CHRIST in order to receive the forgiveness being offered.  It’s the difference between provision and possession.  Jesus provides salvation through his blood, but if you reject that offer you are not accepted by God’s grace through faith in the only provision for your salvation.  Every blessing that we possess comes after our choice of faith in HIM– not before.

...according to the riches of his grace; According to the riches of his grace, we have forgiveness.  If we were to sum up the revelation of the mystery that was revealed to Paul, it would be the riches of God’s grace!  It’s where all the blessings that have been freely given to us at the time we trusted Christ’s finished work on the cross for our own justification and salvation, even if you don’t know it, (1 Cor 2:12).  

Eph 1:7 In whom (In Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Let’s work this verse going backwards.  According to the riches of his grace, we have forgiveness of sins, because of the blood that he shed for our redemption which is found in him.

Atonement and forgiveness are different.  We talked about that before.  Atonement provides the payment, whereby we receive the forgiveness.  Forgiveness is like the key that unlocks the prison door.  Redemption, which is your freedom is when you actually leave that prison.  There is a definite order to these inter-connected truths.  

As an example, let’s say you’re in jail for breaking the law.  You have a conscience and you know you are guilty.  This sin weighs heavy on your heart.  In order to get out of prison, you have to atone for the wrong that you’ve committed.  You (or someone who loves you) pays the bail which allows you access to the outside world.  But, you’re still guilty under the law and in your conscience until you have your day in court and are unexpectantly forgiven!  Forgiveness is the key (or the means) by which the doors of the prison cell are opened.  

For this illustration, let’s just say even though you’ve paid the bail (atonement) you’re still sitting in prison.  The cell door is wide open!  You’ve been forgiven of your debt but you haven’t taken the steps to walked out.  This is where redemption comes in.  The warden, who has reviewed your case, steps into your cell, takes your hand and walks you out of prison.  That’s redemption!

Christ’s blood is your freedom (Atonement – Redemption) in every sense of the word.  Christ’s blood makes you free from the law. Christ’s blood makes you free from sin.  Christ’s blood makes you free from guilt. Christ’s blood makes you free from death!  You have been rescued, delivered and liberated.  You have FREEDOM! (Gal 3:13, 4:5).  You don’t have to stay in prison! (Gal 5:1)

Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself...”

What’s important is the blood that Jesus shed for our atonement.  In other words, had they suffocated Jesus instead of crucifying him, his death would not have given atonement for our sins.  Blood needed to be shed so that forgiveness could be offered.  The entire Bible makes this significant distinction from beginning to end.