10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 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;
12 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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2
But Now
Last month we concluded our “But God” study with Ephesians 2:9:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Human labor cannot merit the gift of salvation. Nor can it effectuate the redemptive transformation that accompanies this new relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
We do not change ourselves. We become his workmanship. We become spiritually reconstructed by him. The Holy Spirit immediately upon our conversion to Christ, begins the good work within us.
Philippians 1:6 explains it:
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
It is a never ending process until we leave this human carapace or shell.
Not by any effort on our part could we build anything of worth or worthy of the gift.
Philippians 2:13 further reveals:
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God works in us through faith in his Son and by the intervention of the Holy Spirit to change us from evil works unto good works.
The evil works of the past fade away and we begin to walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 says it:
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
And 2 Corinthians 5:17 becomes a reality.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This newness of life, this new creature, becomes evident in us in that our drive is changed, redirected, as our mind is renewed by the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:2 elucidates on the matter:
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
You move from your will to God’s will. And his will is good works.
And that is not one or two good works a month or a week but:
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Under the new administration it is a lifestyle change. That we should walk in them. Our new life is one of goodness and righteousness. While we may not be perfect in that it should be our new drive.
Well, praise the Lord now!
Memory Check
Now that we are moving forward and upward in this new life, let us look back to see from whence we came. The “in time past” era of our existence.
We were of the Gentilic race.
Consequently we were of the Uncircumcision group.
That meant we were of the heathen category.
“At that time” we were a hopeless lot. The Jewish nation had the advantage over us.
Romans 3:1,2 speaks to that.
1What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
The Jews had the long promised Messiah, the Christ, in their faith system. And eventually Christ came into the world even to his own people the Jews.
11 He came unto his own. John 1:11.
Initially the Gentile was excluded from that. We were without Christ.
We were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.
The Greek declares alien to be a non-participant. To be estranged, that is to no longer be in a friendly or affectionate relationship. Further, to be shut out from one's fellowship and intimacy.
So we were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. The Greek word for commonwealth is politeia, in English "polity." It means citizenship; a community. We had no citizenship rights in the community of faith which God had chosen, namely Israel.
Paul continues: And strangers from the covenants of promise. We were without knowledge of, and without a share in them.
As Gentiles we had no access to the promises God had covenanted with Israel. We did not have the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use. There was a big sign:
No Admittance.
Memory Lane can be painful. And there is more regarding the Gentile predicament.
Having no hope, and without God in the world. These two could be separated and each one grievous by itself. I believe though they are linked. No hope could refer to all the previous elements which have truly painted a picture of hopelessness. It is however coupled with without God. The hopelessness is exacerbated by the absence of God. There is no hope without God.
And finally we were not just without God, we were without God in the world. The world can be a big, lonely place. Few care concerning our estate. Worse, none can help. The empty soul can only be filled by God.
BUT NOW
Everything changes. Smile. Rejoice.
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
The sign has been removed! -PJF-
You Can Make It!
The Thin Ice Training Course for children at Blizzard Beach (WDW) can be a bit daunting especially for a seven year old. We watched children of different ages who could not navigate the first lap and much less the next one to the end of the course.
Some just let go of the rope net and fell into the water. These were not happy faces of course. Even though the parent with them would attempt to encourage them these children were not happy. Many tried again and some did improve the distance and some went all the way to the end finally.
It appears Emily is having a difficult time right there. This is her third attempt. She is determined to make it all the way across. She managed to get to that other “iceberg” and got to the next platform and continued all the way to the end. Triumphantly she wrapped her towel around her and walked away with a happy smile. We cheered. She had made it!
For the adults in the room, you can make it too. You need not give up. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37. -PJF-
And now a word from our Pastor…
Wedding Garments
Matthew 22
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
For a long time I took a superficial explanation of the man being tossed out because he did not have on “proper” wedding attire. It bothered me that the king, who was desperate to find people to attend his event, would appear to be so cruel to one of his guests. It was until I studied the wedding garment that I saw the true reason the man was thrown out.
The servants were told to go to the highways and find as many as they could find and bid (call) them to come to the wedding. So, they went out and gathered people from everywhere they could find, both bad and good. There was no time to go home and change. Even if they could go home, more than likely they did not have the proper attire for such an occasion.
So what about these wedding garments? It was customary for hosts of the wedding to provide garments (robes) for their guests. In humbling yourself and putting on the garments, you show your host that you honor and respect them. By not wearing the provided wedding garments, the man in verses 11 and 12 showed that he had no regard for his host. He wanted to do his own thing and it brought him suffering and shame.
Learning about wedding garments opened a new world to me. I no longer see the king as cruel, but as fair and just. He provided everything, down to the garments, and still one person refused to wear it.
Here is a quick run-down of the parable:
Verses 2-7: God’s attempt to save the Jews. Salvation was offered to the Jew first. (Romans 1:16)
Verses 8-9: The invitation for salvation is offered to the rest of the world.
Verse 10: The harvest of souls.
Verses 11-13: Judgement day.
Verse 14: Although the gift of salvation is available to everyone, not all will receive it.
-SAF-
The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet,
and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Habakkuk 3:19
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Purpose! Ministries Inc.
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd Suite 6
Clermont, FL 34714
Sundays 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
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Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores
Purpose! Ministries
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