If Ye Continue In The Faith, Grounded and Settled, and Be Not Moved Away From the Hope of the Gospel - Part 1284

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:20-25)

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:17-21)

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in Him:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set [Him] at His own right hand in the heavenly [places].

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] the Head over all [things] to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:1-23)

Three passages of scripture, each describing the promised blessings that we receive in Christ Jesus, when we ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in our heart and minds. Within this decision, we repent of our sins, and are water baptized [buried] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38)

What is happening here? As new Christians, desiring the milk, we begin to build up ourselves on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost and keeping ourselves in the love of God -- always looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only wise God our Saviour. 

And, as a consequence of seeking the Lord Jesus in everything we do -- in both word and deed, we learn that we are now reconciled both unto God in one body by the cross, who abolished in His flesh the enmity -- the law of commandments in ordinances, for to make in Himself of twain one new man, and so makes peace. (Ephesians 2:14-17)

When we receive His peace -- the peace that passes all human understanding -- He encourages us to delve deeper in His Word. And, when we do, we discover that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. And, as well, we learn that we are saved not of ourselves, but rather, as a consequence of His love and mercy -- because "in the ages to come, He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not by works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Now that the Spirit of Christ dwells within, dwelling in our hearts by faith in the Lord Jesus and His blood sacrifice for us while on earth, we become rooted and grounded in love, knowing the love of Christ, which surpasses all knowledge, so that we too might be filled with all the fullness of God. The eyes of our understanding being enlightened.

Knowing the love of our Lord God and Saviour, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself."

And all this begins with a simple confession of faith, asking Jesus to come into our lives. The seed that was planted in the garden of our heart has begun to sprout. To grow, we need to seek Jesus -- the bread of life, whereby we can drink of the living water that only He can give, whereby we will never thirst again. 

As Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." (John 14:6)

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto Him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

How? By "putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24) Being clothed in the righteousness of His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost, "according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:11-12)

Most of all, be ye therefore a follower of God as a dear child, and walk in love as Christ also hath loved you and I, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

So much to learn and yet, look how much you have learned already. Don't forget to pray continually, or to rejoice evermore. And study His Word at every opportunity. Some of us use a notebook and pen, while others make notes in the margins of their Bible. 

Most of all, don't be deceived or tossed to and fro and carried about with every whim of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Ephesians 4:14) Rather, stand firm in the offering plate with our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ -- He never fails!