Ephesians 2:1-3 characterizes a life that does not have Christ. Man does not BECOME spiritually dead because he sins, he is spiritually dead because by nature he is sinful. Our condition has nothing to do with the way we live, but it has everything to do with the fact that we are dead spiritually even while we are alive physically. A person who is spiritually dead has no life by which they can respond to spiritual things. In other words committing sinful acts does not make us sinners: we commit sinful acts because we are sinners. While we may vary greatly in our levels of human goodness and wickedness, we still fall short of God’s holiness, (Romans 2:23). Paul’s purpose in verses 1-3 is not to show how unsaved people live, but to remind believers how they themselves “formerly walked and formerly lived.” Because of Christ’s past work salvation in us \, we are presently and eternally under His love and delivered from the natural human condition of death, sin, lust and divine judgment. Remember my friends, Salvation is FROM sin and BY love. God’s mercy and love provide a way for believers to participate in the righteousness of His … READ MORE

In Ephesians 2:1-10 Paul clarifies what it means to receive salvation and to be a part of Christ’s Body, the church. Here the apostle moves from eternity past into current time. He describes the at and process of salvation, the miracle that draws us into the eternal plan portrayed in Chapter one. In context this section builds on the thought of Ephesians 1:19 “What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power” where Paul introduces the great power of Christ toward us who believe and then digresses to discuss that power in Christ’s life. The power of God displayed in this passage is giving us a clear understanding of the plan of salvation, and its working in our lives. invest a few moments today in reviewing this passage of Scripture for a call to service and commitment.… READ MORE

One of the great gifts we can give our children is preparing them to meet Christ. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15 Paul challenges Timothy to remember what his mother and grandmother had taught him from his youth. The Word of God should be presented to our children from day one, not when we “feel that they have reached some magical age that they can begin to understand it. The Truth of God’s Word provides for them the wisdom they need to face their years of growing up, and it is something that they can take with them into eternity. A woman who is devoted to the Lord is going to be devoted to her children, husband, and family. While a mother’s love is essential for proper development, there is one thing a mother cannot do for us, and that is to reconcile us to God. That is something that we must each do for ourselves. I can assure you that one thing that will please your mother for all eternity is to know that the life that she has brought into this world has found the new life that is offered to yo by Jesus Crist. I want to encourage you … READ MORE