“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created
in righteousness and true holiness … and grieve not the holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:20-30)
When we learn Christ, having heard Him and having been
taught by Him (as the truth is in Jesus) we desire to put off the former conversation
which consisted in our old man, preferring instead to be renewed in the spirit
of our mind and our hearts. Like the apostles who were told to tarry in
Jerusalem until the power from on high had come, we also are to press into
Jesus so that He can reveal Himself to us through His Word. (Acts 2:1-3)
We see this in apostle Paul’s writings to the saints which
are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Note that Paul begins by
extending grace to you and I, and peace from God our Father, the Lord Jesus
Christ. (Ephesians 1:2) And then he writes:
“Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly 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.” (Ephesians 1:1-5)
The same God who created us in the beginning purposed for us
to become His bride. He is inviting us to the most elaborate wedding feast,
wherein we can give praise and glory to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the
Christ.
“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.” (Ephesians 1:1-10)
The mystery? That He Himself who knew no sin loved His
beloved creation so much that in these last times, He would prepare Himself a
body so that He could become the perfect sacrifice. His love for us superseded
the options, so that He could gather together a people who are the praise of
His glory, who trust in His promised/prophesied Christ.
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the
world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto
His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
His purpose? 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 – in Him – the same Him whom also we have
obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who
works all things after the counsel of His own will, that we should be to the
praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
We heard the Word of truth. We responded to the gospel of
our salvation. And when we repent and are baptized in the precious Name of the
Lord Jesus, as were the first 3,000 souls received into the new testament church
on the day of Pentecost, we are sealed with that holy Spirit of promise – His Spirit
– the Holy Ghost whereby the Spirit of Jesus lives within.
As a consequence, we are filled with His love and peace that
surpasses all human understanding. We are victorious because we already know from
whence comes our salvation, and understand that because of His love and
kindness, the Lord of glory Himself came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
"Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold,
a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His Name Immanuel
[Emmanuel meaning God with us!]” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Isaiah 9:6; Luke
1:31-35; Isaiah 8:8-10; Isaiah 6:8; Titus 3:4-7)
God in Christ. God willingly became our Saviour. And this is why we as
believers in Jesus Christ humbly approach the throne of God, rejoicing evermore,
knowing in our hearts that because of the precious blood of Jesus, we can be
renewed, transformed, sanctified by His Word, putting on the new man, which
after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
This is why we pray without ceasing with thankful hearts, proving
what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God. And that we, because
of His love and grace and mercy for His beloved creation -- you and I -- in these last times can stand firmly in the offering plate, offering our hearts and souls and minds to the King of kings and Lord of lords. His Name is Jesus.
If you have not accepted Jesus into your heart, know that today is the promised day of salvation. Repent of your sins, believing in the Name of Jesus and His righteousness by faith. In your heart, believe that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36; Titus 3:4-7) Be water baptized by immersion in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38) And let the Lord of glory fill your heart and mind and inner being with His Spirit so that your cup runneth with joy too. And be blessed according to the measure of your faith, wherein we can stand fast in the liberty wherein is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)
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