Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.,

Scripture Commentary: We are saved through faith.

We have Jesus’ gift of salvation through faith.

How do you handle this? Do you ask how much do I owe you? Or, do you say, “Thank you”? Because our salvation is a gift, do you feel obligated to try to work your way to God?

Be grateful, joyful; Praise God!

This gift of salvation, and even our faith, should be responded to with gratitude, praise and joy. We became Christians through God’s unmerited grace. It wasn’t the result of efforts, abilities, intellect, or an act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness. We aren’t merely working to please ourselves.

No action or work we do helps us obtain salvation.

God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit. We are saved to serve Christ and build up God’s church.

Go out and encourage others who are struggling. Show them that the love of Jesus Christ lives within you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Ephesians Chapter 2

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Scripture Commentary: Bitterness, rage and anger are the path that leads to Satan

God, in His grace and mercy, has forgiven us for our past and for our sins.  He has given us new life.  If we are His, then we can forgive others as He has forgiven us.  If we can’t say anything good about a person, then we are to say nothing.  We are to go to God and let the Holy Spirit that is in us work in us, then we will see and feel the bitterness, rage and anger peel away.

The Bible doesn’t tell us that we shouldn’t feel angry, but we shouldn’t hold onto that negative emotion.  Anger will destroy and give Satan a hold on us.  Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships.

God forgave us!  We shouldn’t let a day end without working to mend our relationships.  We are to mirror God’s love to others.

God acted in love by sending His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.   He was raised from the grave on the third day to give us a way to be with Him and His Father for eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians 4

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Scripture Commentary: God, through Jesus Christ, has given us the gift of salvation

How do we respond to this gift?  We should respond to the gift of salvation with gratitude, praise and joy.

We became christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part.

If we are grateful for this free gift, we will naturally seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness.  We won’t work to merely please ourselves.  No action or work we do can helps us obtain salvation.  God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service.

We are not saved merely for our own benefit but in order to serve Christ and build up His church.

Go out and encourage others who are struggling.  Show, through action, the love of Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2

Scripture: Ephesians 1: 7-8

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

Scripture Commentary:  Forgiveness wipes the slate clean

When we forgive a debt or offense, we don’t require a payment or settlement.  If we did, that would be the opposite of forgiveness.  If repayment is made for what we lost, there’s no need for forgiveness.  We have our due.

Forgiveness assumes grace

If you hurt me, grace lets it go.  I don’t sue you; I forgive you.

Grace gives what you don’t deserve.  That’s why forgiveness has the word ‘give’ in it.  It’s not about getting even; it gives away the right to get even.

When we repent, not only does God forgive, He forgets.  This is what God gives us when we trust Him.  This is why Christ suffered and died.

Forgiveness costs us nothing

Our obedience is the fruit, not the root of being forgiven.  This is why it’s His grace.  This grace cost Jesus His life.

How precious is the news that God doesn’t hold our sins against us.  Christ’s death on the cross made it right for God to forgive our sins.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians 1

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 1-8

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Scripture Commentary:  It is an awesome privilege to be one body and one spirit with Christ

God has chosen us to be Christ’s representative on earth.  In light of this truth, Paul challenged us to live lives worthy of the calling we have received.  It is an awesome privilege to be called Christ’s very own.  And all who are called are one body and one spirit with Christ.

This includes being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful.  Often differences among people can lead to division but this should not be true in the church.

No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth so we must accept and love other Christians

When we see faults in fellow believers, we should be patient and gentle rather than dwell on a person’s weakness or look for his faults.  Pray both for that person and for yourself.

All believers in Christ belong to one body.  All are united under one head – and that is Christ himself.  Each believer has God-given abilities that can strengthen the whole body.

Your special ability may seem small or large, but it is yours to use in God’s service.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 4

 Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1-5

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Scripture Commentary: “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ”

Be honest with yourself.  You have sinned.  You have followed the prince of the air, Satan and were part of his evil spiritual kingdom.

It’s a fact that all people, without exception, commit sin.  Without Jesus Christ you have a sinful nature.  You can’t save yourself.

Paul tells us that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power.  Jesus destroyed the penalty of sin and satan’s power over us by His death on the cross.

Satan’s power and rule is temporary to those who choose to follow him.  Why spend an eternity in hell with the devil when Christ is victorious?  Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted of our sins when you accept Him as Savior.

God gave you choice.  You choose good or evil.

God loves you so much that sent His son to save you.  Our eternal life with Christ is certain because you are united with Him in His powerful victory.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1, 3, 8-9

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;(1)  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.(3)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:(8)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.(9)

Scripture Commentary: By grace you are saved – it is a gift of God

Be thankful to God for having mercy on you and for saving you from the life you were living before.  Be thankful that by grace you are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

Did you, or do you thank Him?

We go about our everyday lives, sometimes not realizing where we have come from.  Some of us were in Satan’s hands, living his lifestyle, and then Jesus Christ rescued us.  Have you ever thought why?

If you have, then the question is, what are you doing with this new life that Christ has given you?  God gave His son for you and I.  What are you giving?

We go about our daily lives – we go to work, church, grocery shopping, and visiting with friends, etc.  Are we helping others to come to Him when we do these things?

Christ destroyed the barriers that people build between themselves, and now we can have real unity with people who do not know the Lord.  Tell your story to others about how Jesus Christ has change your life, about the light that shines in you.  Because of His love we are saved, but now we must serve in His name.

When He saved you, your spirit became lighter, happier.  When you serve Him, you will be complete.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ephesians Chapter 2