A Study of Ephesians

The Relationship of God and His Saints

Many folks who read this lesson from the blog or email will miss a great deal of context simply because time does not allow me to fill in a lot of the material I will be discussing during our class. If you have questions please let me know I will be glad to answer you via email. Jesse

Ephesians 1:7-14

Keeping in mind that what God does, is never to be considered as incomplete. Even in the provision of having a partial inheritance, or a partial filling of the Holy Spirit or any other spiritual blessing that is not fully provided for on this side of eternity, in God's economy all is completed in Christ. Ephesians 1:3.

There are at least two factors that prevent the saint from fully acquiring or utilizing the spiritual blessings that God has given to us. One: is human ignorance and Two: God has His own limitations on His saints. We are not to live by visions and revelations even though there are times in our lives when we are supernaturally aware of revelation. 2 Corinthians 12:7. God calls all of us to live by grace. It is grace that makes us strong by reminding us we are constantly being strengthened in the spirit. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.

So it is the Spirit of God that teaches us about Christ and about the spiritual blessings available through Him. This just cannot be emphasized enough. It is never about us. It is all about Christ. John 16:13-15. So it is not about the Spirit of God which some erroneously chase after, or a gift which some seem to have to have (Ephesians 1:3 states that we already have it). It is simply a matter of proper understanding and application.

We live in a natural world and utilize our natural existence in all that we do, it is just natural for us to react to God in a natural way. May I tell you that this is wrong when pertaining to the things of God. When we seek blessings from God in this natural way we are saying: “I need....I need...” and this is to focus on self. On the other hand, if we focus on Christ we realize spiritually that we have no needs. Because in Christ, He has fulfilled them ALL and provides them to us through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:7

Because of redemption through His Blood and because our sins are forgiven, we can live in the riches of His grace. Additionally; we are strong in the thorn of the flesh and weak in the power of the Spirit. But by the grace found in Christ we are made strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. This is the concept of Romans 6:6-7 compare with Colossians 1:13-14. So, the doctrine in these passages can be identified in a number of ways, but for the purposes of this study we want to see these blessings or (gifts) as we learned last week. It is the doctrine of the “Grace of God to the Faithful in Christ” Romans 6:11-14.

Ephesians 1:8-10

The saints of God (The faithful in Christ), by His Divine power have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, now there is much more found in the passage of 2 Peter 1:1-4 so for us to feel that we do not have the necessary function of the Holy Spirit or some other spiritual deficiency like a second blessing or that we lack some spiritual gift is simply nonsense, scripture does not teach this at all. I like how the apostle Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 14:38. Ignorance is generated by self will, so if a person chooses to be ignorant of spiritual blessings, let them remain in their ignorance. Notice also: 1 Corinthians 2:6-10. It then the Spirit of God who reveals the deeper wisdom of God, we have the Spirit and the blessings from the very first day of our salvation.

Also we need to see that the unbelieving cannot know these things. The gospel is veiled or unseen to those who refuse to believe. Those who are perishing are perishing because the god of this world has blinded them. 2 Corinthians 4:4 and 1 Corinthians 2:12. So what does this explain to us? 1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Ephesians 1:11

We have read through the list of spiritual blessings that are provided to us at the point of salvation. These partially conclude with verse 11 as the apostle shows in verse 12. That the work of God in the apostles for salvation is the same work of salvation to the saints.

Ephesians 1:12

Notice that Paul does not include anyone in the gospel except those who are alive with him at this time. This phrase: “that we, who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory”. It is to challenge you and me to take a look at the trust of the saints and motivate us to do likewise as verse 13 shows that some of us will.

Ephesians 1:13

This will help us understand the predetermined will of God and all should be save and that none are to perish. John 3:16 is likewise a challenge to trust the gospel. So the final three components of spiritual blessing are; One: To trust the Word of Truth; Two: Believe that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise and, Three: Understand that the indwelling Holy Spirit is God's deposit or guarantee that we are now children of God.

These are the very things that all saints have, without exception. The church of Jesus Christ in the years of our lives has forgotten this and we run around as crippled saints. We do not understand our position in Christ and Satan laughs at most of us, because he knows we have the power of overcome him but we do not know how to use it. James 1:12-18. So we do not earn salvation by works, nor do we deserve salvation by predestination. We gain salvation by faith through grace. Ephesians 2:8-9.

A List of blessings in Him

1. We are chosen Verse 4

2. We are holy Verse 4

3. We are blameless Verse 4

4. We are predestined Verse 5

5. We are adopted Verse 5

6. We are accepted Verse 6

7. We are redeemed Verse 7

8. We are forgiven Verse 7

9. We are given wisdom Verse 8

10. We are given spiritual management (prudence) Verse 8

11. We are given the mystery of His will Verse 9

12. We are all to be with Christ in heaven forever Verse 10

13. We are given an inheritance Verse 11

14. We are predestined to this by God's decree Verse 11

15. We are given the Word of Truth Verse 13

16. We are given the Holy Spirit Verse 13

17. We are given the guarantee of our inheritance (H.S.) Verse 14