“Graced In the Beloved” (Eph 1:6)

 

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us graced* in the Beloved” (vs6).

In His infinite glory and wisdom, God CREATED us in union with Jesus Christ, seeing us, from before the world, perfected in the Beloved. He knew what the Son would do for us, destroying the old man, to create the new (Eph 2:15). He gave us to Christ in union with Him in all that He is - He as the Head, and we as the beneficiaries, the Body of Christ. We are heirs of God by grace only; we have not earned or contributed the least thing to eternal blessedness (Eph 2:8). Our change from death to life is by God giving us to Christ and uniting us to Him, that He might display His glorious grace in redemption - “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace“ (Eph 1:7). You and I are PREDESTINED in love unto riches, and we are favored now, in the Beloved, in the obedience to death of Christ.

Jesus earned blessedness for us. He gave Himself to the cross - the Lion was first a Lamb - humbling Himself unto death for us, uniting us to holiness and praiseworthiness by the triune work of God. He purposed in love, paid for in holy love, and sets us apart as favored. He did this for us by His will. No one stops Him (Eph 1:11-12).

He kicks open mercy’s door boldly, but He compelled us to come in - “According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will“ (Eph 1:4-5). He favored us, and don’t ever think God isn’t on your side and doing you good. He put you in Christ and created you in His resurrection and victorious power. He saves you now lovingly, even as He predestined He would, in His love. He chose us for blessings, and now we enter by faith - “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe“ (Mark 5:36). Do nothing to earn God’s blessing. Wait on His promise in Christ, knowing that He is good. He will not break covenant with you. He will not fail.

Heshimu

* Freely bestowed (5487) (charitoo from charis = grace) means to cause one to be the recipient of a benefit. It means to bestow grace or favor upon or to show kindness to someone…

Thayer says charitoo means to "pursue with grace, compass with favor, to honor with blessings."

Precept-Austin

Grace and Peace For Who? (Eph 1:1-2)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace to be you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (vs1-2).

Grace and peace are in Christ and only for the FAITHFUL, the saints, and those that HONOR God by faith. If we don’t BELIEVE the gospel, transformation never comes, and we have not yet been saved. It is NOT those who hear about Christ, but those that BELIEVE who are saved; it is not what we know, but whether or not we trust Christ ourselves, even as the ark only saved people inside, no matter how many admired it, understood its saving purpose, or even helped it be built - “These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them; that every one that kills any person unawares may flee there” (Numb 35:15).  We must YIELD to Christ for salvation, and if we do, if we BELIEVE on Him, then we have GRACE and peace from God.

He is RECONCILED to us, is at peace with us, and He has PURE and free GRACE for us continually. The wrath is gone, the love is ETERNAL, and we can be sure of our calling and election BY the faithfulness He gives - “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for is you do these things, you shall never fall” (2 Pet 1:10). We TRUST Him apart from works with assurance, and then we work by this assurance, and MORE assurance comes.

Be thankful that you’ve obtained mercy, if you believe, but if you don’t believe, then don’t assume things are good with you; they aren’t.  You are under God’s wrath and will be punished; you and I are taunting death and provoking wrath , if we don’t believe.  Grace and peace makes you holy and faithful. Are you? Do you believe?

“Open My Mouth Boldly” (Eph 6:18-20)

“[Praying] for me, that word may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the gospel… that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (vs19-20).

We must tell everything that we see, hiding nothing. We cannot preach to please sinners and earn favor; we must be “Thus says the Lord”, or let us quit the ministry and work a 9-5. 

There is no place for not setting forth the word of truth:  (1) it causes others to err (2) it angers God (3) it is below the inheritance of saints for us to cower before men, changing our faces to please those who have no real power (1 Sam 21:10-15).  Let the Christian stand up and speak what he has learned, leaving the consequences with the Master. We are mere servants, and we get our wages from Him, and not from what we can acquire for ourselves through deceit.

Gehazi had to get rich, so he got leprosy (2 Kings 5:20-27).  Judas had to be advanced by this world, so he hung himself in worldly sorrow (2 Cor 7:10). And, we may continue.  Whitefield wouldn’t trade places with those who preached for a living, a title, a name. He wanted to preach and teach what he believed and enjoyed, and anything else is slavery to the worst.

We are not saying, “Be mean and rude for the sake of being bold”. We make no excuse for belligerence or cruelty in witnessing. The Christian minister, so honored to be used of God, should be the humblest and meekest of persons, trusting God to use the words of one who has obtained mercy - one who has made no contribution to the word or my own salvation - “in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perhaps will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Tim 2:25). But, let us preach it as it is in Christ; let us preach SOVEREIGNTY, commanding all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).  Let us preach REPENTANCE and the forgiveness of sins, demanding that Christ be Lord and Savior (Luke 24:47).  Let us preach hell hot and heaven so glorious as beyond words. Let us PREACH grace, faith, and GOOD works; let us SPEAK the whole counsel of Christ, fearing no man’s face, and seeking no approval by holding back some truth or expression - “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4).

Let us be honest by trusting Christ, for Paul says, Pray for me, meaning that he needed help, and so do we, “that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col 4:4).  Augustus Toplady warned that a timid partial declaration of the gospel is unworthy of a minister, and yet Gideon obeyed by “night” and succeeded (Judges 6:25-32). Therefore, whether trembling needlessly, or shouting in confidence of faith, let us SAY all that God has revealed to us for His honor and man’s good.

“Live Long On The Earth” (Eph 6:1-3)

“Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that is may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” (vs1-3)

Honor God because its best for you.  There is no reason to fight His love: He is kind, merciful, and He gives power - “He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength” (Is 40:29).  He blesses the weak, helps the wicked, and saves by His obedience and strength; believe only.

Please, don’t stop short of inheriting life for free - He’s the pearl, the treasure, everything; He’s the Savior of the needy.  Wrath and pain are unbelief's inheritance, but we may have Christ.  He reveals His love, how He saved the church, and by faith you know he saved you - “And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, Believe you that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yes, Lord.  Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you” (Matt 9:28-29).  You’re included!  This is great! This is love.  Obey Him, and it is sweet love you’re resting in, joy, and humble praise.  Thank God, don’t war with Him.  Love Him by obedience.  Love Him for salvation.

If you’re young and home with parents, obey them - “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Eph 6:1).  Respect their word, speak respectfully to them, and order yourself aright with them by obedience - “Honor your father and mother… that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth” (Eph 6:2-3).  Live for God’s honor in your character: be happy!

Shut Your Mouth and Receive (Eph 2:4-5)

 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are saved;” (vs4-5)

Shut your mouth Arminian; you deny election, predestination, and salvation being all of God and none of man.  But, you can’t have God and hate electing love; it is obvious, “God…even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ”, so that He saved us two thousand years ago, when we were dead in sins, not knowing or loving God (vs5).  We were inactive in our mercy; it came with faith and love, God's gift to us - “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 1:14).  He loved us, electing us to life through Christ the Meritorious One.  He is God's reason to forgive sins and be just at the same time.  He saves us through Jesus' work for us; He saves completely, saving all who trust in Him.

But don’t love an idol god, who needs your permission to invade your heart with light (2 Cor 4:6).  Worship God in Christ, honoring Him with faith and then love to mankind.  Trust Christ, and not religious ideas of man.  God rules, and He'll be praised for His electing saving love in Christ the Lord, or He'll damn us forever (Eph 1:13).  Better to serve God for saving your everlasting soul in electing, Christ slaying, covenant keeping love... better to enjoy Him now in servitude, than to lose your soul.

Away with false gods of human invention.  Away with each making up God in their minds, saying, “I don’t care what the bible says; I think this way, and it works for me”.  No, away with soul-damning logic, and receive salvation on God's terms in Christ.

Saving grace is free, saving, sweet, and fulfilling; it is better to love Christ than sin's pleasure that's so brief and defiling.  Heb 11:25-26 says of Moses, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked to the reward”.  Grace conquers, eases, soothes, and wins willful submission.

What Must I Do?

1. Be baptized - “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This is your confession of faith in Christ.  We baptize to declare discipleship.  It is commanded, as is everything God says.  We are not to obey in word only (James 1:22).
2. Serve a Christ exalting church.  Express yourself the way God says, in the church, proving your election with attendance, kindness to brethren, and zeal for Christ in the only institution designed to be the final test: laboring together in God's Son, living that people know Christ in all areas of life.

What Shall We Do?

If we believe unto love and purity of gospel preaching, it will prove us saved, and election will be sure (2 Pet 1:9-10).

Master and Slave Relationships

In America, where race relations have been strained, to say the least, let me give a word on slavery.  Of itself, slavery is not wrong, and believers are slaves of Christ, willingly (Rom 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1; Jude 1:1). He is a good Master.  The Lord instructs masters to be fair and righteous in how they treat people, slaves included (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1).  The bible never makes the slave to be less than the Master in terms of value; the slave is to be treated from the standpoint of mercy received, because the master has a Master in heaven.

Do not be ashamed of the bible. The problem isn’t slavery; it is hatred, lust, violence, and brutality practiced by the masters, instead of righteousness, love, and peace.  Paul sent Onesimus BACK to Philemon, his believing master (Phile 1:12).  God found Philemon a safe refuge for a child of God, to be under his care. He sees no problem with authority, even absolute authority, as the wife obeys the husband “in every thing“, but He does hold abuse, hatred, pride, and neglect of those under our care as crimes to be punished by the Judge. 

If you have been put under a wicked ruler, God will avenge you, in due time. Don’t let his evil cause you to err. If you have a good master, boss, husband, parents, then thank God who cares for you through them.  If you are in charge, remember your Creator, and deal with people how He treats you, lest you dishonor His name by abusing power, which He never does.

STAND (Eph 6:10-24)

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and you feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (vs13-15).

We stand in the knowledge of salvation by grace, fighting an enemy that is stronger than we are, but CONQUERING through the power of the Spirit (Eph 6:14).

The believer is unable to stand against Satan on his own, and yet, he is to stand. Our INABILITY does not remove our responsibility, and if we will but believe God, all shall be as He has said - (Mark 9:23) “Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes”.

God has power for us, and He GIVES it FREELY through Christ Jesus. We don’t have to earn salvation; He CHOSE us for it and gave it to us from the foundation of the world. We are ELECT, loved, forgiven, and blessed. All I need to serve God is mine, right now, as if I’d been obeying Him my whole life, because the obedience of God’s Son is ENOUGH for Him to bless ANY sinner in the world with STRENGTH over Satan.

Don’t say, “I can’t”, and then stop; believe Christ and DO what He says.

First, it is the Lord’s might that we are strong in – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph 6:10). It doesn’t matter our own personal weakness, which is GREAT. It only matters the power of the Lord Jesus over sin. He quieted the sea, cast out demons, raised the dead, and turned sinners into saints. He has the SAME power now.

People need to see holiness. They must be confronted by men and women that believe God so much, that it comes out in their lives. This power over sin is God’s witness that He sent the messenger with the message, because He grants HOLINESS and conduct becoming Christ to all that believe (Matt 28:18-20).

Secondly, Satan can be defeated by faith – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph 6:16). Satan says, “Has God said”, and faith says, “God has said”. Satan says, “Sin that grace abounds”, and God says, “servants of righteousness” describing everyone that He redeems (Rom 6:18). He changed us, gave us newness of life, and while we have the old nature of sin in us, we are who God says we are, living for the reason that He declares.

We don’t live for our glory, but His. We don’t live to make ourselves known, but Him. We do all to the glory of God, rather than to the glory of self, as Satan SKILLFULLY deceives us. He comes saying, “Don’t be TOO holy. Walk a middle ground. Sin a little. You can’t be perfect. You’re a sinner, so you should sin. It is EXPECTED that you’d sin a little”. Yet, it is expected that we live in God’s power for God’s purpose, and He won’t change His purpose to serve us. He brings us to His will, rather than Him allowing us to do as we see fit.

Satan has lie after lie, but FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only His work at the cross but also the meaning and PURPOSE of that work, delivers us from Satan’s lies to newness of life and peace.

Thirdly, the gospel is a mystery to be made known – “[Pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: hat therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph 6:19-20). We preach Christ CLEARLY, but men do not understand because it is a mystery to them how FREE and encompassing SALVATION is. Man CANNOT see that what God REQUIRES is STRENUOUS above any human ability, and it is GIVEN to every believer in spite of his sins – “Now we have received , not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Cor 2:14).

We can be BILLIONS of times more wicked than we see ourselves, but if we BELIEVE the gospel of grace, God has CLEANSED us and made us whole. We are no longer slaves.

Let our gospel be the mystery of holiness by the mystery of grace: let us live godly by the power of God GIVEN to us for Christ’s sake, who bore our sins!

Lastly, the Lord makes known to us the gospel, helps us, and deals with us through people – “But that you also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts” (Eph 6:21-22). The ministry is not “SOVEREIGN GRACE so stay at home”; the God of glory uses men and women, like us, to do His will. He saves by people, encourages by people, strengthens by people, and does all that He does in the world THROUGH the church.