What's so amazing about grace is how far it reaches: in reaches down to us in whatever pit we have fallen into or dug for ourselves (2:1-3), and grace reaches so far as to set us in the presence of God in heaven in Christ (2:4-6). From where I was to where God intends to take me. That's true in God's rescuing us from sin and guilt,and also for His continuing work in us, His special project, His workmanship (2:10).
We each need God's grace, whether to receive spiritual life, for spiritual growth as "His workmanship" (God working in us), or for fulfilling our mission in doing His work (God working through us).
A friend reminded me today that the essence of Christianity has always been missional. Each person relates to the church either as one who is called by God to receive and believe the gospel or as one who is used by God to extend the gospel. If we have believed, than God is best working in us when He is working through us to show His grace to others. That's what "Christ in us" would look like.
praying towards growing in knowing God
A good start: believing in Jesus and Loving those Jesus loves (1:15). Because of this Paul prays for them along very specific lines. We first learned how to pray by listening in as others prayed, so learn about praying by listening in on Paul.
He prays that we would grow in knowing the hope God has called us to, that we would know how much we mean to God as His particular treasure, and how great is His life from death power toward we who believe in a life from the dead Savior.
There's nothing here about stiff joints, or my difficult circumstance. Too often I pray for a change in circumstances, either for myself or others. Not often enough am I praying that in those hardships, circumstances, either I or those I pray for would grow in knowing God by seeing more clearly His salvation through the storm, seeing more fully how much God loves and seeing His power perfected in our weakness or trouble.
This week I'm praying a different way. I hope it doesn't bring more trails, but whatever comes, my hope is being closer to Him who loves us most of all.
He prays that we would grow in knowing the hope God has called us to, that we would know how much we mean to God as His particular treasure, and how great is His life from death power toward we who believe in a life from the dead Savior.
There's nothing here about stiff joints, or my difficult circumstance. Too often I pray for a change in circumstances, either for myself or others. Not often enough am I praying that in those hardships, circumstances, either I or those I pray for would grow in knowing God by seeing more clearly His salvation through the storm, seeing more fully how much God loves and seeing His power perfected in our weakness or trouble.
This week I'm praying a different way. I hope it doesn't bring more trails, but whatever comes, my hope is being closer to Him who loves us most of all.
the gospel - ephesians 1:3-14
The Gospel of our salvation, planned and perfected by the triune God: Father, Son and Spirit. God chose to save us and has set his plan in motion to bring us all the way to perfection. The Son paid the price (redemption) for our sin so that we could be forgiven, and share in His inheritance. That inheritance is the whole twisted and broken will be restored as it rightly should be, under Jesus. Love and justice prevails, while guilt, shame and selfishness are banished; and we shall be part of it!
In fact, we are already part of it--in part! If you have heard and believed (trusted in) the Gospel of God choosing to save you by Jesus dying for your sin and guilt and being raised from the dead. If so, then you have already been saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit. By His indwelling, the Spirit works in you the first fruits of all we will one day experience.
A Christian's testimony is simple, although the names, places and details vary, the essence is this: God determined to intervene so that I heard the gospel and believed, trusting in Christ for forgiveness of my sin, thus being sealed in Christ by the Spirit who now lives in me and is working in my life new growth that will fit the coming eternal glory.
Maybe you'd like to briefly tell your salvation story in a comment below? Maybe tell some of the work the indwelling Spirit is doing, or what you pray He will do in you? Maybe, like Paul, just praise God for how He has blessed us in life with Him...
In fact, we are already part of it--in part! If you have heard and believed (trusted in) the Gospel of God choosing to save you by Jesus dying for your sin and guilt and being raised from the dead. If so, then you have already been saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit. By His indwelling, the Spirit works in you the first fruits of all we will one day experience.
A Christian's testimony is simple, although the names, places and details vary, the essence is this: God determined to intervene so that I heard the gospel and believed, trusting in Christ for forgiveness of my sin, thus being sealed in Christ by the Spirit who now lives in me and is working in my life new growth that will fit the coming eternal glory.
Maybe you'd like to briefly tell your salvation story in a comment below? Maybe tell some of the work the indwelling Spirit is doing, or what you pray He will do in you? Maybe, like Paul, just praise God for how He has blessed us in life with Him...
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