note: this blog is a means for its' author to express - share - his heart for his Savior with you and to point the reader to the ...MISSION web site where teaching from the Word - or guided study in the Word is available and service to and for the members of the church and the people of its' community is made possible. visit our web site at www.spiritoflifemissioninc.org
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DIVISION - UNITY - "A PLAN"
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DIVISION - UNITY - "A PLAN"
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We are looking at what GOD has recorded in the letter He had written to the saints at Ephesus and to the faithful in CHRIST JESUS. Specifically something He stated in chapter 2 that grabbed my attention this week: "Wherefore remember, that you being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time you were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:..." ( Ephesians 23:11/12 through 3:20) I am going to write this basically the way I notated my time this week sitting at the table with my Fathers' word in hand and His Spirit guiding me into truth (In effect it is the heart felt relationship I have with the LORD). BEGIN;
Circumcision - the JEW (in the flesh - made by hands)
>"the law of commandments"
ie. the 1st oracles of GOD (Rms. 2)
(given them by GOD)
Uncircumcision - the GENTILE (in the flesh - made by hands)
> aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
> without CHRIST
> strangers from the covenants of promise
"Were afar off
BUT NOW
made nigh by the blood of CHRIST"
CHRIST made both one.
HOW?
broke down the middle wall of partition:
which is the "enemy":
which is the "law of commandments"
that are contained in "ordinances".
The cross
___ reconciled both Jew and Gentile
___ made both one body
___ of the twain made one man
___ gave access to both, by one Spirit, unto GOD
Making them (the Gentiles) members of the household of GOD, (fellow citizens with the Jews) the Jews and Gentiles now being one man, one body, one household of faith are as one building "fitly framed together": JESUS CHRIST being the chief cornerstone.
BUT NOW
made nigh by the blood of CHRIST"
CHRIST made both one.
HOW?
broke down the middle wall of partition:
which is the "enemy":
which is the "law of commandments"
that are contained in "ordinances".
The cross
___ reconciled both Jew and Gentile
___ made both one body
___ of the twain made one man
___ gave access to both, by one Spirit, unto GOD
Making them (the Gentiles) members of the household of GOD, (fellow citizens with the Jews) the Jews and Gentiles now being one man, one body, one household of faith are as one building "fitly framed together": JESUS CHRIST being the chief cornerstone.
one cornerstone
one building
one habitation of GOD
one holy temple
one body of CHRIST
one church
The cross of JESUS tore down the walls of division by taking away - abolishing - the "law of commandments". One might say that 'law' brings division.
We do not live by a book of rules. The law of commandments was replaced by "the law of the Spirit of life in CHRIST JESUS" (Rms. 8). The "law of commandments" is the "law of sin and death." (Rms.7)
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S I D E B A R
A. the law of the "Spirit of life", is in CHRIST romans 8
B. the law of "sin and death", is in 'my members' romans 7
C. the law of "commandments", is in 'ordinances' ephesians 2
pros and cons:
for A. Romans 7/8
-freedom from the law of sin & death
-freedom from condemnation >>> life
for B. Romans 7/8
- captivity to the doing of evil when I would do good
- sin in my members >>> death
for C. Ephesians 2
- brings division
- lack of peace
- it is the enemy - it is a wall between peoples
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You made a covenant with Abraham which was for the whole world, the whole of mankind.
1st You introduce yourself to Israel (the direct descendants of Abraham) - you give them your law - of commandments -(your oracles: you deliver them in mighty ways from the "iron furnace". I.E. You make a awesome display of your power - "the power of GOD".
You make your presence known AND you chose a nation, which you yourself raise up, through whom to make your presence known: Thus making Israel a rather special people.
2nd You send JESUS into the world - your Son - your "only begotten" Son - you in the flesh. He dies for all mans' sin. In so doing He abolishes the "law of commandments", and by such a mean the door is open for all mankind (each individual) to become GODS" special, chosen, children, sons & daughters, fellow citizens of your household. This is accomplished by your Spirit.
It is a spiritual union - a spiritual kingdom - a spiritual household - a spiritual family; the same spirit in every family member.
IT IS NOT
physical - flesh - natural
IT IS NOT
a kingdom or household built with hands nor governed by laws.
IT IS
a habitation for GOD.
GOD, who is spirit.
It was never in GODS' heart and mind that He 'offer Himself to the Jew and since they rejected Him He went to the Gentile'. It was always in His scheme of things that all men be adopted as sons: The Jew first then the Gentile was the mechanism, if you will, by which GOD offered Himself as a Father to all mankind - all men everywhere.
THE ULTIMATE, DRIVING DESIRE in GODS" heart was by this whole action (labeled 1st, and 2nd in above notations)
of, or in, or with the human race would lead to the church, and in so doing be a demonstration of His "manifold wisdom". note Eph. 3:9-_.
That is to say in effect GOD was and is saying "look at me, look at the plan I devised and how I worked it and brought about its' reality." AND TO WHOM was this demonstration?
"the principalities
and powers in heavenly places"
WE AS HUMANS SOMEHOW THINK THAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT US - WITH THAT THINKING COMES greed, self-centeredness, rebellion, rejection (of GOD and Jesus), disbelief - unbelief.
LIFE STARTS AND STOPS WITH US? NOT HARDLY
We are a demonstration of GODS" manifold wisdom. THAT MAKES US SPECIAL!! ALL OF US - ALL MEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM ON HIS TERMS
What are His terms? Faith in JESUS CHRIST - life death and resurrection on my behalf; and the fact that He is LORD; ie. GOD in flesh.
*********************
GOD had a plan,
created
brought about the church
one building
one habitation of GOD
one holy temple
one body of CHRIST
one church
The cross of JESUS tore down the walls of division by taking away - abolishing - the "law of commandments". One might say that 'law' brings division.
We do not live by a book of rules. The law of commandments was replaced by "the law of the Spirit of life in CHRIST JESUS" (Rms. 8). The "law of commandments" is the "law of sin and death." (Rms.7)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S I D E B A R
A. the law of the "Spirit of life", is in CHRIST romans 8
B. the law of "sin and death", is in 'my members' romans 7
C. the law of "commandments", is in 'ordinances' ephesians 2
pros and cons:
for A. Romans 7/8
-freedom from the law of sin & death
-freedom from condemnation >>> life
for B. Romans 7/8
- captivity to the doing of evil when I would do good
- sin in my members >>> death
for C. Ephesians 2
- brings division
- lack of peace
- it is the enemy - it is a wall between peoples
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You made a covenant with Abraham which was for the whole world, the whole of mankind.
1st You introduce yourself to Israel (the direct descendants of Abraham) - you give them your law - of commandments -(your oracles: you deliver them in mighty ways from the "iron furnace". I.E. You make a awesome display of your power - "the power of GOD".
You make your presence known AND you chose a nation, which you yourself raise up, through whom to make your presence known: Thus making Israel a rather special people.
2nd You send JESUS into the world - your Son - your "only begotten" Son - you in the flesh. He dies for all mans' sin. In so doing He abolishes the "law of commandments", and by such a mean the door is open for all mankind (each individual) to become GODS" special, chosen, children, sons & daughters, fellow citizens of your household. This is accomplished by your Spirit.
It is a spiritual union - a spiritual kingdom - a spiritual household - a spiritual family; the same spirit in every family member.
IT IS NOT
physical - flesh - natural
IT IS NOT
a kingdom or household built with hands nor governed by laws.
IT IS
a habitation for GOD.
GOD, who is spirit.
It was never in GODS' heart and mind that He 'offer Himself to the Jew and since they rejected Him He went to the Gentile'. It was always in His scheme of things that all men be adopted as sons: The Jew first then the Gentile was the mechanism, if you will, by which GOD offered Himself as a Father to all mankind - all men everywhere.
THE ULTIMATE, DRIVING DESIRE in GODS" heart was by this whole action (labeled 1st, and 2nd in above notations)
of, or in, or with the human race would lead to the church, and in so doing be a demonstration of His "manifold wisdom". note Eph. 3:9-_.
That is to say in effect GOD was and is saying "look at me, look at the plan I devised and how I worked it and brought about its' reality." AND TO WHOM was this demonstration?
"the principalities
and powers in heavenly places"
WE AS HUMANS SOMEHOW THINK THAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT US - WITH THAT THINKING COMES greed, self-centeredness, rebellion, rejection (of GOD and Jesus), disbelief - unbelief.
LIFE STARTS AND STOPS WITH US? NOT HARDLY
We are a demonstration of GODS" manifold wisdom. THAT MAKES US SPECIAL!! ALL OF US - ALL MEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM ON HIS TERMS
What are His terms? Faith in JESUS CHRIST - life death and resurrection on my behalf; and the fact that He is LORD; ie. GOD in flesh.
*********************
GOD had a plan,
created
brought about the church
EARTHLY; That the Gentiles should bee "fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in CHRIST by the gospel: eph. 3:6
HEAVENLY;"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be know
by the church
the manifold wisdom of GOD; eph. 3:10
NOTE: The church is the instrument, or rather the sculpture, not made by hands, but indeed fashioned by the hand of GOD Almighty (THE POTTER),; this sculpture demonstrates how utterly wise our heavenly Father is!! He is not saying here that His "manifold wisdom" be seen by us,
but rather "us", we, are the demonstration of that "manifold wisdom"
I must be careful to avoid redundancy, but also I am compelled to express the utter delight that swells within my heart and would burst it asunder with joy over the extreme wisdom of GOD that this passage of eph 2:11 - 3:22 has revealed to my heart; by the express effort of the "rabbi", the "Master" : Heart to heart >> graciously, relentlessly, persistently and tenderly in the person of His Spirit .
And it does no desist, for not only has He expressed repeatedly, the oneness of this 'family', this 'household' of GOD, this 'building fitly framed together' for a 'habitation of GOD' grown into a 'holy temple', BUT, He has admonished us to a love in CHRIST that "surpasses knowledge" - eph. 3:19 - and by which we "might comprehend "the breadth"
"the length"
"the depth"
and "the height
of this love CHRIST HAS for me, and thereby be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD
THEREBY ___ THEREBY WHAT???
an experiential knowledge of the hiegth, the breadth, the length, and the depth of CHRIST' love - NOT academic knowledge,,BUT a love/faith that is rooted (it is grown like trees in dirt) and grounded (solid in it) in my heart for Him and from Him. ooooo! that is what its' all about. THAT passes knowledge - that fills a man with GODS" FULLNESS!!!
I must at this time cease to write more, for the ecstatic and overwhelming vision of what He has stated in this afore mentioned scripture, has so consumed my heart with excitement over the vision of Him it presents to the eyes of my heart, that I must muse upon the sight for some amt. of time before I can move forward with this dissertation that seeks to lay down upon the pulp of trees the words that would strive to convey the depths of my heart in the regards of my Father.
Is He able to do exceeding abundantly above what we could ask or think? eph. 3:22
Ohh ya! this very passage 'we have expounded', we have ' shared', GOD has revealed of Himself
has in and of itself given me a vision, a closeness to His heart, that I neither ever imagined possible nor ever dreamed existed. It absolutely enamors me with Him, to Him, and for Him.
Oh how I pray, how I desire
that ALL men, everywhere, would know experience that at "His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Pleasure beyond the wildest dream. Pleasure in the Spirit of the heart and soul that are so rich, full, and consuming that the things of earth truly do grow dim - do indeed lose their value.
No happening - No circumstances - No loss -- No grieve - No person - No thing - can possibly overshadow the pleasure of knowing intimately GOD.
************************************************
KEYWORD/PHRASE SUMMATION
There was a DIVISION:
1. circumcision and uncircumcision
2. aliens form the commonwealth
3. strangers from the covenants
4. no hope and without GOD
5. afar off
6. middle wall of partition
7. the enemy ... even "the law of commandments"
8. strangers and foreigners
Then came UNITY:
1. to make ... of twain one ... peace
2. broken down the middle wall...
3. made nigh
4. ...reconcile both...in one body
5. slain the enemy
6. ...both access by one Spirit
7. fellow citizens
8. in whom all the building fitly framed together
9. of the household of GOD
10. builded together for a habitation...through the Spirit
11. of whomm the whole family of heaven & earth is named
This was PLANNED:
1. mystery
2. not known
3. now made known
4. The Gentiles should be fellow heirs
5. fellowship of the mystery
6. has been hid in GOD from the beginning of the world
7. to the intent
8. ...might be known by...
9. according to the eternal purpose which He purposed
UNDERSTANDING this PURPOSE?PLAN
1. being rooted & grounded in love
2. may be able to comprehend
3. what is the breadth, the length, the depth, the height
4. and to know the love of CHRIST
5. which passes knowledge
The RESULT
1. being filled with the fullness of GOD
2. see that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all...
3. see that, that same power is in us
Since GOD created man He has been working a plan that would demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; That plan has been being staged by Him throughout the course of history; no thing, no event, no person in this earthly life and on this earth was happen stance, everyone and everything has, is, and will serve the purpose and plan of GOD to demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; a mystery only now, after the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, has been revealed to the human race: A plan that involved a time of division and the bringing about of unity - a oneness, a reconciliation to..., a unifying of through..., a bringing together all that are in.......by the very sacrifice of JESUS, in whom the purpose and plan of GOD resides, and has been, and is, and will be, fulfilled. The only way to understand this Mystery is to know the love of CHRIST: For love passes knowledge: It is not an academic knowledge that is needed here, it is a love GOD has for us and we have for Him that brings about the understanding and the fullness of GOD in us. When this understanding gets into ones heart they will know that GOD is able to do far beyond what one could possibly imagine in this finite mind. One will realize that the power that resides in us is the same power that conceived and brought to fruition this most divine plan that He (GOD) only could create and orchestrate.
This study has been founded in Ephesians 2:11 thru 3:22
HEAVENLY;"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be know
by the church
the manifold wisdom of GOD; eph. 3:10
NOTE: The church is the instrument, or rather the sculpture, not made by hands, but indeed fashioned by the hand of GOD Almighty (THE POTTER),; this sculpture demonstrates how utterly wise our heavenly Father is!! He is not saying here that His "manifold wisdom" be seen by us,
but rather "us", we, are the demonstration of that "manifold wisdom"
I must be careful to avoid redundancy, but also I am compelled to express the utter delight that swells within my heart and would burst it asunder with joy over the extreme wisdom of GOD that this passage of eph 2:11 - 3:22 has revealed to my heart; by the express effort of the "rabbi", the "Master" : Heart to heart >> graciously, relentlessly, persistently and tenderly in the person of His Spirit .
And it does no desist, for not only has He expressed repeatedly, the oneness of this 'family', this 'household' of GOD, this 'building fitly framed together' for a 'habitation of GOD' grown into a 'holy temple', BUT, He has admonished us to a love in CHRIST that "surpasses knowledge" - eph. 3:19 - and by which we "might comprehend "the breadth"
"the length"
"the depth"
and "the height
of this love CHRIST HAS for me, and thereby be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD
THEREBY ___ THEREBY WHAT???
an experiential knowledge of the hiegth, the breadth, the length, and the depth of CHRIST' love - NOT academic knowledge,,BUT a love/faith that is rooted (it is grown like trees in dirt) and grounded (solid in it) in my heart for Him and from Him. ooooo! that is what its' all about. THAT passes knowledge - that fills a man with GODS" FULLNESS!!!
I must at this time cease to write more, for the ecstatic and overwhelming vision of what He has stated in this afore mentioned scripture, has so consumed my heart with excitement over the vision of Him it presents to the eyes of my heart, that I must muse upon the sight for some amt. of time before I can move forward with this dissertation that seeks to lay down upon the pulp of trees the words that would strive to convey the depths of my heart in the regards of my Father.
Is He able to do exceeding abundantly above what we could ask or think? eph. 3:22
Ohh ya! this very passage 'we have expounded', we have ' shared', GOD has revealed of Himself
has in and of itself given me a vision, a closeness to His heart, that I neither ever imagined possible nor ever dreamed existed. It absolutely enamors me with Him, to Him, and for Him.
Oh how I pray, how I desire
that ALL men, everywhere, would know experience that at "His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Pleasure beyond the wildest dream. Pleasure in the Spirit of the heart and soul that are so rich, full, and consuming that the things of earth truly do grow dim - do indeed lose their value.
No happening - No circumstances - No loss -- No grieve - No person - No thing - can possibly overshadow the pleasure of knowing intimately GOD.
************************************************
KEYWORD/PHRASE SUMMATION
There was a DIVISION:
1. circumcision and uncircumcision
2. aliens form the commonwealth
3. strangers from the covenants
4. no hope and without GOD
5. afar off
6. middle wall of partition
7. the enemy ... even "the law of commandments"
8. strangers and foreigners
Then came UNITY:
1. to make ... of twain one ... peace
2. broken down the middle wall...
3. made nigh
4. ...reconcile both...in one body
5. slain the enemy
6. ...both access by one Spirit
7. fellow citizens
8. in whom all the building fitly framed together
9. of the household of GOD
10. builded together for a habitation...through the Spirit
11. of whomm the whole family of heaven & earth is named
This was PLANNED:
1. mystery
2. not known
3. now made known
4. The Gentiles should be fellow heirs
5. fellowship of the mystery
6. has been hid in GOD from the beginning of the world
7. to the intent
8. ...might be known by...
9. according to the eternal purpose which He purposed
UNDERSTANDING this PURPOSE?PLAN
1. being rooted & grounded in love
2. may be able to comprehend
3. what is the breadth, the length, the depth, the height
4. and to know the love of CHRIST
5. which passes knowledge
The RESULT
1. being filled with the fullness of GOD
2. see that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all...
3. see that, that same power is in us
Since GOD created man He has been working a plan that would demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; That plan has been being staged by Him throughout the course of history; no thing, no event, no person in this earthly life and on this earth was happen stance, everyone and everything has, is, and will serve the purpose and plan of GOD to demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; a mystery only now, after the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, has been revealed to the human race: A plan that involved a time of division and the bringing about of unity - a oneness, a reconciliation to..., a unifying of through..., a bringing together all that are in.......by the very sacrifice of JESUS, in whom the purpose and plan of GOD resides, and has been, and is, and will be, fulfilled. The only way to understand this Mystery is to know the love of CHRIST: For love passes knowledge: It is not an academic knowledge that is needed here, it is a love GOD has for us and we have for Him that brings about the understanding and the fullness of GOD in us. When this understanding gets into ones heart they will know that GOD is able to do far beyond what one could possibly imagine in this finite mind. One will realize that the power that resides in us is the same power that conceived and brought to fruition this most divine plan that He (GOD) only could create and orchestrate.
This study has been founded in Ephesians 2:11 thru 3:22
