God Rich in Mercy and Great Love Ephesians 2:4

Paul the apostle shared how God has “made alive” the Ephesians who were “dead in trespasses and sins” because of the influence of “the prince of the power of the air” which works in “the children of disobedience”. The Ephesians and Paul formerly had lives which fulfilled “the lust of” of their “flesh” which fulfilled “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” as they were “by nature the children of wrath, even as” other people were. In chapter two and verse four, Paul adds how God “is rich in mercy” because of His “great love” where we read:

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

The verse begins, “But God, who is rich in mercy,...” Paul began with the word, “But” which means “moreover, nevertheless and now” and is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to stated take precedence over what was just written, “God” which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “who is rich” or “wealthy, abounding in material resources and abundantly supplied” “in mercy” which means “kindness or goodwill towards the miserable and the afflicted, clemency of God providing to men salvation by Christ”. Paul declared how God has “abundant” and overflowing amounts of “mercy” toward those who love Him.

The verse goes on to say, “... for his great love wherewith he loved us,” Paul added, “for his great love” or “much, large and abundant affection, goodwill, benevolence, brotherly and unconditional love” “wherewith” which means “which, what and that” “he loved us” or “welcomed, entertained, fond of and dearly loved both Paul and the Ephesians”. Because of God's “abundant” and “unconditional love”, He extends His “abounding” “kindness and goodwill toward us”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we should be excited over God's “abundant” “mercy and love” toward us. He is not sparse and poor in His “kindness” toward us, but has an over-abounding supply as we need it. Should we ever doubt whether God will forgive us when we have done wrong, we should think of these words He is “rich in mercy” because of His “great love”.

Next time Paul shares how God made us alive when we were “dead in sins”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.

Our Former Way of Living Ephesians 2:3

Paul the apostle told the Ephesian church members God has made them “alive” who were “dead in trespasses and sins” which in their former lives they had lived “according to the course of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air” which is “the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience”. In chapter two and verse three of his letter, Paul continued his writing about the Ephesian's past lives as he shared about their “former way of living” where we read:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

The verse begins, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,...” Paul began with the words, “Among whom” which refers to “with, by, which and before God” “also we all” or “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, all things and everything” “had our conversation” which means “way of living, conduct or behavior of one's self and life” “in times pasts” or “once, formerly, aforetime and at some time” “in the lusts” which means “within the desires, cravings and longings for what is forbidden” “of our flesh” which refers to “the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood and the sensuous nature of man which is prone to sin and opposed to God”. The Ephesians and Paul lived in their pasts before God according to their fleshly desires.

The verse goes on to say, “...fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;” Paul added, “fulfilling” or “producing, constructing, forming, fashioning, making ready and preparing” “the desires” which means “will, choice, inclination and pleasure” “of the flesh” or “he soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood, the sensuous nature of man which is prone to sin and opposed to God” “and of the mind” which refers to “the faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring, way of thinking whether good or bad”. The result of these “fleshly desires” was “fulfilling” their “lusts” which were according to their “flesh” and “thinking”.

Finally the verse says, “and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Paul finished the verse with the words, “and were” or “in the past and formerly” “by nature” which means “a mode of feeling and acting which by long habit has become the sum of innate properties and powers by which one person differs from others, distinctive native peculiarities, natural characteristics: the natural strength, ferocity, and intractability of beasts” “the children” or “the offspring” “of wrath” which means “anger, temper, movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, violent emotion and indignation”, “even as others” which refers to “in the same manner as those who remain and are distinct”. The former way Paul and the Ephesians lived was a natural way for those who are opposed to God. These have the distinct title of being “the children of wrath”.

When we consider these words of Paul, he referred to the way he and the Ephesians lived before they knew Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It is natural to live according to the “lusts” of the “flesh and mind” when we do not know Jesus Christ, however, when we accept Him and His forgiveness of our sins, we begin a new life and live according to His Spirit rather than ours. This allows us to leave the label of “children of wrath” to become “the children of His grace”. May the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit help us to understand the place of “wrath” we have without Jesus, and the place of peace we have with Him.

Next time Paul shares about God's “rich mercy and love” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.

The Prince of the Power of the Air Ephesians 2:2

Paul the apostle continued to share with the Ephesian church members concerning their blessings from God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son. He also declared how they had been “made alive” who were once “dead in” their “trespasses and sins”. In chapter two and verse two of his letter, Paul mentions their past life and how they lived “according to the prince of the power of the air” where we read:

Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

The verse begins, “Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world,...” Paul began with the word, “Wherein” which mean “in, by and with” “in time past” or “formerly, aforetime and at some time” “you walked” which means “made one's way, progressed and made due use of opportunities” “according to” or “down from, through out, toward and along” “the course” which refers to “the unbroken age, perpetuity of time, period of time or age” “of this world” or “the world affairs, goods, endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures”. Paul referred to the Ephesians' “former” lives when they lived as the ungodly “world” lives.

The verse goes on to say, “...according to the prince of the power of the air,...” Paul added, “according to” or “down from, through out, toward and along” “the prince” which means “a ruler, commander, chief and leader” “of the power” or “ability or strength with which one is endued which he either possesses or exercises” “of the air” which refers to “the atmospheric region”. This “ruler, commander, chief and leader” of the “power” of this “world” is none other than Satan himself.

Finally the verse says, “...the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:” Paul finished this verse with the words, “the spirit” or “the essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding and acting” “that now works” which means “at this present time and now to be operative, puts forth power, aids and effects” “in the children” or “descendants, one of posterity of any one” “of disobedience” which means “obstinacy and opposition to the divine will”. According to Paul, Satan is “the spirit” who does his work in those who are non-believers in Jesus Christ and are therefore called the “children of disobedience”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we understand who is working inside people who have not given their lives to Jesus. They refuse God's way of salvation, and therefore act “according to” the manner of the “world”. There is no substitute for submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and if we do not follow God's “one way” to be in a relationship with Him, we have “disobeyed” Him and live like the world lives. Oh let us understand, God Almighty has given us a way to avoid “the prince of the power of the air”, and may we repent and change our ways to follow after Him.

Next time Paul shares more about our former way of living , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.

The Dead Made Alive Ephesians 2:1

Paul the apostle shared how God Almighty “put all things under” the “feet” of Jesus and “gave him to be the head over all things to the church” which he said was “his body” and “the fullness of him that fills all in all”. In chapter two and verse one of his letter, Paul referred to the way God made the Ephesians “alive” who were once “dead in” their “trespasses and sins” where we read:

And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

The verse begins, “And you has he quickened who were,...” Paul began with the words, “And you” which refers to the Ephesian church members “has he quickened who were” or “being, coming and having life”. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, Paul references how Jesus made the Ephesians alive.

The verse continues, “...dead in trespasses and sins;” Paul added, “who were dead” which means “as one that has breathed his last, lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life and inanimate” “in trespasses” or “lapses or deviations from the truth and uprightness or misdeeds” “and sins” which refers to “misses to the mark, to err and be mistaken; to wander from the path of uprightness and honor and to do wrong”. The Ephesians were as those who are “dead” in their “trespasses” or willful disobedience to God's world and “sins” or “missing of the mark”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we realize God Almighty through Jesus Christ has “born us again” or made us “alive again”. We were separated from God, “dead in our trespasses and sins” with no hope to have a relationship with God. When Jesus was sacrificed upon the cross, He paid for our wrongs whether deliberate or not and made the way for us to be close to the Heavenly Father. May our He help us by His Holy Spirit to know what a great sacrifice He has provided for our wonderful new life.

Next time Paul shares about “the prince of the power of the air” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.

The Body of Christ Ephesians 1:23

As Paul the apostle continued to share how God put “all things under” Jesus' “feet”, he also shared how God set Jesus to be “the head over all things to the church”. In chapter one and verse twenty-three of his letter, Paul described the “church” as “his body” where we read:

Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.

The verse begins, “Which is his body,...” Paul began with the word, “Which” or “whoever, whatever and who” “is his body” which refers to “Jesus' large or small number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were. This is a social, ethical or mystical body”. Paul likened the “church” to Jesus' body of which He is the head.

The verse goes on to say, “... the fullness of him that fills all in all.” Paul added, “the fullness” or “that which is or has been filled such as the body of believers which were filled with the presence, power, agency and riches of God and Christ” “of him” which refers to “Jesus” “that fills” or “makes full, abounds, renders full and complete” “all in all” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, all things and everything”. Jesus considers “the church”, His “body” as the “fullness” of Himself.

When we think through these words of Paul, we begin to understand the relationship Jesus has between Himself and His “church”. In a similar way our physical bodies are directly connected to our heads, so Jesus is directly connected to His “church”. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we become a part of His “body” the “church”, and when we do, we enjoy “all” that being connected to Him fulfills.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see how Jesus has “made alive” that which was “dead” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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 Things Under Jesus' Feet Ephesians 1:22

Paul the apostle told the Ephesians that God “set” Jesus “at his own right hand in heavenly places” when He “raised” Him from the dead. This put Jesus “Far 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”, and in chapter one and verse twenty two of his letter, Paul declared “all things under” including the church, Jesus' “feet”. We read:

And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

The verse begins, “And has put all things under his feet,...” Paul began with the words, “And has put” or “arranged under, subordinated to, yielded, subjected and submitted to one's control” “all things under” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, all things and everything beneath, below and underneath” “his feet” or “Jesus' feet”. Paul declared that everything that exists in under the authority of Jesus Christ.

The verse continues, “...and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” Paul went on to write, “and gave him” or “granted, let have, supplied, furnished, delivered, extended and presented to Jesus” “to be the head” which means “the supreme, chief, prominent and master ” “over all” or “above, beyond and more than” “things to the church” which refers to “a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake”. God gave Jesus the position of absolute authority over “each and everything” that pertains to the “assembly of Christians”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we discover another place where God has put Jesus in power. Jesus is not only over “all things” but also “over” everything that pertains to His “body”, the Church. God has place Jesus in authority over everything, and this includes all Christians. May we realize the “absolute” and undisputed authority of Jesus, and let us bow in worship before Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords over everything that exists.

Next time Paul shares how the church is Jesus' “body”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.

Jesus Above All Ephesians 1:21

Paul the apostle told the Ephesian church members that God had “worked out in Christ” “the exceeding greatness of his power” to those “who believe”. This came about when He “raised” Jesus “from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places”. In chapter one and verse twenty one of his letter, Paul shared how God set Jesus “above all” other powers and “names” that exist. We read:

Far 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:

The verse begins, “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,...” Paul began with the words, “Far above” or “upward, greatly higher and over” “all principality” which means “each, every, any, the whole and everyone of those in first place who rule, chief, magistrate and are of angels and demons”, “and power” or “the authority of rule or government specifically having the power of judicial decisions, jurisdiction and magistrate”, “and might” which means “strength, power, ability and influence”, “and dominion” or “power, lordship and one who possesses dominion” “and every name” which means “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone and all the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds” “that is named” or “uttered and made mention of a person or thing”. God set Jesus over every “power, dominion and name” that every did and every will exist.

The verse goes on to say, “...not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” Paul continued, “not only” or “in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer alone” “in this world” which refers to “an unbroken age, perpetuity or period of time and age”, “but also” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, objection, exception, restriction, moreover and transition to the cardinal matter even and indeed” “in that which is to come” which means “to be about, to the point of doing or suffering something, intend, have in mind and think”. Paul further clarified that Jesus was given power over every person and being that lives or has lived whether in this current “world” or the one in the future.

When we consider these words of Paul, we begin to realize just how powerful Jesus is. He has been given “dominion and authority” over every person, angel, demon or spiritual being. There is no one is more powerful than He, and when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we align ourselves with the most powerful One of all. Let all praise be unto His Holy Name!

Next time Paul shares how God “has put all things under” Jesus' “feet”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” 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.