Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”, and in chapter twenty and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told the Ephesians, “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace” where we read:
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The verse begins, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, ...” Luke began with the words, “And now, brethren” which means “and at this present time fellow believers in Jesus who were united to each other by the bond of affection” “I commend you to God” or “I, Paul, set before, intrust and commit to you, the elders and people in the church of Ephesus to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and to the word of his grace” which means “and toward the speech, decree, mandate and order belonging to God's joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor”, “which is able to build you up” or “that exists as capable, strong and powerful enough to rear and give constant increase toward you, elders in the church in Ephesus”. Luke shared how “Paul” told the “elders in the church in Ephesus” that he “committed” them to “God Himself” and to “God's unmerited favor” that was capable of increasing them in their walk with Him.
The verse goes on to say, “... and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Luke continued with the words, “and to give you” which means “and to grant, bestow, furnish and supply you, elders in the church in Ephesus with” “an inheritance” or “a property received or what is given as a possession of eternal blessedness of the consummated kingdom of God which is to be expected after the visible return of Christ” “among all them” which means “with each, every, the whole and everyone of the people” “which are sanctified” or “who are rendered or acknowledged as venerable, hallow, consecrated and dedicated to God”. Luke shared how “Paul” also desired to furnish the elders and believers in the church in Ephesus with a “possession of eternal blessedness” in God's Kingdom along with every other person who is “consecrated and dedicated” to Him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn why “Paul” “committed” the elders and believers in the church in “Ephesus” to “God” and His “grace”. He desired for them to receive “a possession of eternal blessedness” in God's Kingdom which is available to every person who yields themselves to God's Son Jesus Christ. Anyone who believers and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God, and forever they shall live with God and be blessed in His Heavenly Kingdom. Those who carefully examine “Paul's” desire for the “church in Ephesus” will find God's desire for everyone to enjoy the promises given to them and to all who surrender to Jesus.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells the Ephesians, “I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment