Let’s dive right in to Chapter 2….

VS 1-3, A LITTLE GOOD IN EVERYONE? - How often have we all heard that phrase?  I have no idea where it began, but I’m pretty sure that it’s an effort to bypass the need for Jesus Christ.  If all we have to do is embrace that good that we each have in ourselves, then that’s probably all that’s necessary to get to heaven, right?  But Paul pretty much slams the door on that concept here.  We are born with an evil nature, and the spirit of the devil is the force behind those who refuse to obey God.  So… is there a little good in everyone?  Or are we depraved human beings in need of a savior?

VS 4-7, GOD IS GOOD - Paul makes it clear here that it is God’s love that initiated this whole salvation thing.  And because he loved us, we have been allowed to become one with Christ through salvation, and we have a seat at the table in heaven.  How cool is that?

VS 8-9, MEMORIZE THESE VERSES - These two verses are cornerstones in explaining the nature of salvation; it is a free offering, a gift… and there is nothing we can do to earn it.

• For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

VS 10, A MASTERPIECE - I love this verse.. we are God’s masterpiece.  We are of high value.  And we were made to distribute that value.  We are not created to “sit and soak”.  We are created to work and win… work at God’s purpose and win the lost around us.

VS 14-19, A BRIDGE BETWEEN US - Not only has Jesus Christ provided a bridge between us and God, removing the barrier between us, but Jesus Christ in us also provides the means to remove the barriers between us and others.  Have you ever had one of those relationships you thought could never be salvaged?  It can be…at least for you.  There are never any guarantees that someone will reestablish a right relationship with you once it has been broken, but when we realize that Christ forgives us, we can at least lay down any bitterness we have toward someone else and free ourselves from that burden.  And that may be all that is necessary to open the door to reconciliation.

VS 19-22, A LIVING LANDMARK - This is a fascinating set of verses.  Paul describes the foundation of the church consisting of Jesus Christ as the cornerstone (what everything else is based off of) and the Apostles.  Then he describes these people sort of like living bricks and mortar, being joined together into this incredible house of God.  This challenges me to think, “What are we doing TOGETHER to construct a landmark building for the glory of God on the foundation described here?  Are we becoming living bricks and mortar that create a landmark structure for the world to see Jesus Christ?”

YOUR TURN……

Tags: Apostle Paul, Ephesians, grace, Jesus Christ