The Believer's Blessings In Ephesians (Part 2)

by M. McDonald, Crossford, Scotland | Category: The Believer's Blessings In Ephesians | Feb 1986

Our Blessings in Christ Jesus - Ephesians Chapter 2

Verse 6 - Raised up with Christ Jesus and made to sit with Him

"God... raised us up with Him, and made us to sit with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus".

These remarkable statements stand in stark contrast to what the Ephesians were prior to their conversion. The Ephesians had been dead in their trespasses and sins they had walked according to the course of this world, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind. It is against such a backcloth of degradation that we must consider this marvellous truth of being raised up in Christ Jesus and made to sit with Him in the heavenly places. This elevated position is perhaps one of the great truths that dawn upon the Christian subsequent to his conversion. It is a spiritual reality, and entering into it will enable spiritual growth and understanding to develop.

When did this seating with Him take place? It must have occurred when we were born again. It is not a matter of our coming and going from these heavenly places, but once seated there we cannot undo the divine work.

Verse 7 - God showing His grace toward us in Christ Jesus

"That... He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus".

In this verse the apostle brings before us the purpose that God has in

our being raised and made to sit with Christ. This great purpose lies still in the future - in the ages to come.

What is it that God is going to show forth? It is His grace in kindness. What a precious word is grace! God's unmerited goodness and favour is totally undeserved by us. Heavenly beings will marvel at the operation of God's grace on such poor, vile sinners as we are. God has demonstrated His marvellous grace in His kindness towards us. What a beautiful thing is the kindness of God! This kindness He has shown to us in the glorious person of Christ Jesus.

However, it is not simply God's grace. It would have been more than enough if it was only His grace; but it is the riches of His grace. Our God is not a poor God, but one who can give and give and give without any effect on the immensity of His boundless resources. Men may measure riches in material things, but our God looks to riches of a more lasting nature than this world's fast fading glories. The riches of God's grace will thrill the believer's soul when earthly things have long since passed away.

The apostle now adds an adjective to the riches of His grace namely, exceeding. The Greek word is rendered also by surpassing or cast beyond. If our finite minds are unable to grapple with the immense revelation of the riches of God's grace in Christ then the exceeding riches of His grace must even further exceed our highest thoughts. We must humbly bow before God's supremacy and His majestic ways.

Verse 10 - Created in Christ Jesus for good works

'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them".

Salvation is not of good works: but one of God's eternal purposes in us is that we should fulfil His glorious expectations in us, in carrying out the good He has previously destined for us. A Christian who is not seen to be doing these good works from the heart is scarce worthy of that honourable name.

This poor world is crying out for the evidence of the workmanship of Christ. When He was here as the Carpenter of Nazareth, how men must have marvelled at the meticulous care He took in even the smallest of jobs! Now we know He is exalted on high; but still His workmanship can be in evidence, seen as a reflection in His disciples' lives. We are His workmanship. Am I a credit to the Master workman?

In this verse we are once again brought face to face with the foreknowledge of the Almighty. He has prepared good works for you and me to carry out. 'What happens if we fail in these things? We can rest assured our failure will not jeopardize the purposes of God. When king Saul proved to be a failure, God said, "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will" (Acts 13:22). What will be true unfortunately will be the loss of reward in failing to do these good works. We are encouraged by the words of the One walking in the midst of the lampstands, "I come quickly:

hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take, thy crown" (Rev. 3:11). Verse 13 - Made nigh in Christ Jesus "But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

The world for centuries has known the great division between Jew and Gentile. When God called His people out of Egypt, and the Israel nation came into existence, it was God's intention that Israel should be the head of the nations; but the blessings given to Israel would be shared by all nations. That this has not come to pass must be due in part at least, to lack of faith on the part of Israel.

The cross of Christ has changed everything! Almighty God, with holy displeasure, must have watched the hardening of attitudes between Jew and Gentile, the deepening of the cleavage between them over the centuries. Now from the Jewish nation the seed of Abraham - God had sent His Saviour. Isaiah foretold, hundreds of years prior to the fulfilment of his prophetic word, that it "was too light a thing" that Jehovah's servant "raise up the tribes of Jacob" and "restore the preserved of Israel", but He was going to be "for a light to the Gentiles" and also God's salvation "unto the end of the earth". What an all-encompassing statement this is! Who is excluded? No-one! Which nation does God ignore? None, all are precious in His sight. How has this marvellous reconciliation been effected? It is in Christ Jesus, so that those of us who once were far off are brought nigh in His precious blood. The hymnwriter puts it beautifully in the words

So nigh, so very nigh to God,

I cannot nearer be;

For in the person of His Son

I am as near as He.

M. McDonald, Crossford, Scotland | Feb 1986
The Believer's Blessings In Ephesians