“But now in Christ Jesus you, who at one time were far off, have become near by the blood of the Christ. For He himself is our peace…” Ephesians 2:13.
Apostle Paul shares this comforting scripture reminding his audience in Ephesus around 61 AD, all the way to reminding us that are reading this right now in 2013, that the purpose of the blood of Christ has not only reconciled people back to God almighty, but this same blood that Christ shed on Calvary has made the saints extremely wealthy to overflow.
The clear statement Paul clarifies again and again throughout this letter is that it is through the grace of God alone that He lavishes us with His love. We have done nothing to earn, work towards, or buy these spiritual riches that, Christ followers attain. We are beyond wealthy, dripping with spiritual riches that is far better and far outweigh the merit of all the gold, diamonds, money and all other treasures put together in the world.
Did you know that no matter how far you “feel” from God that He has brought you near to Him by the blood of Christ? No matter how bad you feel about the things you did in the past or the things you should have done in your past these behaviors will not keep God from drawing you near to Him. All that is needed is a heart that is sincere and willing to be drawn by a holy God.
All Have the Opportunity to Receive the Riches
Not only will God draw you near to Him, but He will lavish you to overflow with the riches of His kingdom. Paul, known as one of the great apostles of Christ, could also be referred to as a deliverer of the good news of riches.
He has brought these riches to thousands upon thousands upon thousands since he first begin to teach about Christ. Confirming God’s incredible promise of reconciliation, God first made with Abraham, …providing a holy way…the only way for Gentiles and all the world who were once afar off from God to now be drawn near to Him.
PRAISE be to the Holy Almighty God!
Since Skype, twitter and facebook was yet to be invented, Paul writes a letter and first greets these precious people… a audience of Greeks, Romans, magicians, followers of Artemis and other Gentiles, then commends them as they became followers of Christ and then Paul begins to list the riches that we attain as saints. And all this is in the first couple of chapters of the book. This letter circulated not only in the church at Ephesus but in all surrounding areas from church to church.
Paul was first introduced to Ephesians throughout his mission trips and is writing this letter from prison in Rome. This letter was written to make believers more aware of their position in Christ because this is the basis for their practice on every level of life, to make Christians more aware of their position in Christ and to motivate them to draw upon their spiritual source of God in their daily living.
THE RICH LIST
Paul list one after another the overflowing rich blessings allotted to all who believe on Jesus as their Lord and Savior
1. Our Lord Jesus Christ, has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
2. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
3. In love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
4. He made us accepted in the Beloved who is Christ.
5. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
6. …which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence…
AND MORE RICHES IN CHRIST
1. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
2. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the
guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
PRAISE
After reading this, there is no other response but praise and Paul is faithful to do just that.
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayer that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.”
QUESTIONS
1. Would you like to attain the spiritual riches in heaven, never to fade but to have for eternity?
2. What things are keeping you from attaining the riches of the saints?
3. Why don’t you just lay it all down putting away the ways of the old man and become a new creation in Christ?
Dear Lord,
Yes, I would like to attain all the spiritual riches in heaven found in Christ Jesus, I realize that I cannot earn it or work for it but that it is freely given to all who believe and follow You. Lord help me to denounce my former man and the things contrary to your word accepting my new creation in Christ. Guide and lead me every step of the way. In Christ’s name AMEN
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