Ephesians 1:13,ephesians 1:14,ephesians 1:4

For Reading and Meditation:     Ephesians 1:1-14

What is it in the heart of most men and women that rejects the idea of God's free and generous offer of salvation? It is pride, the deadliest of all the deadly sins. Bernard Shaw, an example of a modern-day thinker, said: "Forgiveness is a beggar's refuge. We must pay our debts." But we cannot pay our debts. As our...

For Reading and Meditation:     2 Timothy 1:1-18

Several of the world's religions, when faced with the perplexing issue of Christ's return from the dead, explain it in terms of reincarnation. A proponent of one of the Eastern religions says: "Christ's resurrection was really a reincarnation - another soul in another body." I once heard a Christian minister declare...

For Reading and Meditation:     Colossians 1:1-20

Does salvation come up from mankind through striving, helped by the Divine, or does it come down to us from above, through the act of God and our receptivity of that act? Is it an attainment or an obtainment? The answers separate Christianity from all other religions. Non-Christian religions teach that salvation is...

OUR salvation is our deliverance from sin, the curse, and the wrath of God; this was impossible to man, but God sent His own Son in our nature, to save us freely, fully and eternally. The gospel is the "good news of our salvation." It is sent to inform us that God is love; that grace reigns; that heaven is opened; that provision is made for our guilt, weakness, and fears; that God waits to receive us, bless us, and glorify us with Himself for ever. It sets before us all Christ has done, all...

We walk by faith, not by sight. § We love Him because He first loved us. § And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. § In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. § To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is...

Jesus … said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. § He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise. § To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers it the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. § That in the ages...

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. § Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you...

The love of the Spirit. § The Helper, the Holy Spirit. § In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them.We know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. § Having believed, you were sealed with...

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep. § The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. § Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is...