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Praise be to the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every
spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation
of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In
love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his
glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 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. With all wisdom and
understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according
to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect
when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven
and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity
with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put
our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also
were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised
Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the
redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14 This passage is about our positional
truth (the things God has done for us). This is our calling.
Because of
who we are (our positional truth), this is how we are to live. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge
you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 Macarthur
pointed out, "If this is our doctrine, this is how we should be living."
This bit of truth was experiential for me, but hearing it said made it almost
an "ah-ha" moment. Has all of my life reflected who I am in Christ?
Macarthur
continued, "Until we walk worthy,
God is not glorified in our lives, the church can not fully function, and
therefore the world can not see Jesus Christ." Conviction was starting to
do it's work now. I realized I needed to make some changes in my life.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his
good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-2
Macarthur
talked about how the word of God needs to be studied "so we can live
it". God brought this truth to me early in my recovery from the sin of
alcoholism. Truth needs to become part of us so it becomes automatic in our
responses to life around us. I have
hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 This verse tells me that
unless I know God's word in my heart (His truth and precepts are a part of who
I am), I can't not sin. John really made it clear by saying; "being void
of understanding means you are defenseless. If we do not know, we will be
victimized."
My son, if you accept my
words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to
wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out
for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it
as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will
understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs
2:1-5
For this reason, since the day we heard
about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill
you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding
that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and
please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the
knowledge of God, Colossians 1:9-10 Knowledge of God's word is essential to praising God and good
works.
and have put on the new self, which
is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10
But grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!
Amen. II Peter 3:18
All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17
Since, then, you have been raised
with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
Read
Ephesians 1:3-14 (at the top of the page) again. Taking an honest look at
yourself, does this high calling seem out of reach, maybe a bit unattainable? John
said; "Our high position demands a lowly walk. Walk means daily
conduct or lifestyle. Let your lifestyle be worthy of your calling." “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Has God been talking to you and have you have been resisting? Go to the cross, God
is good all the time and He has promised to bring you from where ever you
are to His truth gently.
For this reason I kneel before the
Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its
name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with
power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in
love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know
this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we
ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians
3:14-20
Be completely humble and gentle; be
patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
So,
concerning this calling, what is it, and who called you to Christ? You did not choose me, but I chose you and
appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so
that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16
The
following is another quote from John Macaurthur and I have inserted my name
where he put his and ask you to do the same. It will give you a new
perspective. "I am a Christian
because the sovereign almighty God, creator and ruler of the universe, wrote my
name in a book before the world was created and said; "Rich Ganzel, I the
eternal, holy, righteous God of the universe, choose you to spend forever in my
presence." That adds a huge amount of response and commitment on my
part. A high calling, being a child of
God - walk worthy. That's all that matters." Emphasis mine.
Vertical focus, not horizontal!
