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 Ephesians 2 - Membership

The good life is the life that listens to and follows God (Psalm 81:10).  It's the Christian life.  It is daily doing what is right and just - genuinely - not some fake religiosity (Proverbs 21:3).  We are reminded in this chapter that God decides what a good life is.  Your legacy is what God says it is, for God sets the standards.

        Have you ever noticed how quick people are to assert their rights, demand forgiveness, and quote seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).  And how slow many Christians are, to be honest, accept responsibility, and honor the One to whom we will all be accountable (Probers 21:12, Romans 14:12, Hebrews 4:13, and Matthew 12, 36).

        Today is a day to put faith into action - to help those in need.

        I thank God that He brought us peace and that we are all members of God's family.  What a privilege.  I thank God today for my friends and family.  I am not worthy of their friendship, generosity, and love.  But I am so thankful to share this life with you.  May none of us be bluffers today.  May we write and speak plainly; may we think before we act.

        Whether you are decades into your walk with Jesus or just now contemplating putting your life in His hands, listen closely to this chapter of Ephesians.  For there is new life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ - for you and me.

        Christ is the Messiah; He is God.  And God the Father chose for his own good pleasure to enable us to draw nearer to Him.  He wants a relationship with you and with me.  More than that.  He wants us to be part of His holy family, His dear children.  It's true.

        This chapter explains what Christ the King has done.  He died on the cross for us.  He united Jews and Gentiles into one people (2:14).  He ended the system of law with its commandments and regulations.   That system has finished!  It ended with Christ's death on the cross.  And as Christ prophesied in Matthew 24 His judgment came on Jerusalem and the temple was forever destroyed within a generation of Christ's death in A.D. 70.

        Now all people can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us (2:18).  What are you struggling with today?  Hopelessness, depression, anxiety?  Frustration with your stage of life or a job that sucks.  Accept God's gift of eternal life and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior today.  Be born again.  God is faithful.  He will come through for you.  Start with faith like a mustard seed.  Follow God and grow.

        Until a person believes in Jesus Christ, any person that is, he or she is apart from God, separated from God.  Each of us was like that.  We all followed the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He was the spirit at work in our hearts as we followed the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.

        Ring true?  It should.  This is a universal principle.  It applies to every person born of a woman.  And when we live in sin separate from God we are apart from Him.  Far apart.  And yet God, the Creator and Sustainer of the world and all life in it, provides a way for us to be saved from our sin.

        God raised Christ Jesus from the dead.  It is the resurrection.  It is the power of God.  It is the transformation of a new life.  Just as the sun rises over the horizon trust that God will give you new life as you accept Him as your Lord and King.

        And when we believe in God we are saved from the anger and punishment and separation and hostility to God.  God saves us when we believe.  It's His way.  We are made new.  We are now at peace with God.  We can all come to the Father through the Holy Spirit.  

        That's the truth.  That's Christianity.  That's how you become a child of God - through belief in Jesus Christ.  If you have just put your faith in Jesus Christ I'd love to hear from you.  Write me at dcbell1111@gmail.com.  My wife, Kari, and I will pray for you.  Welcome to God's family! 

        Lord Jesus, thank you that you give us new life and that you are the one who determines what is a good life.  Please grow our understanding and love for you today.  Thank you for bringing us peace.  Amen.


Sunrise this morning in Philadelphia, PA.





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