Daily Bread Bible Study
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians
Chapter 2
Christian Works Vs Faith
Biblical Works in the Bible
Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very important Christian Works vs Faith Bible study taking a look into the debate on Biblical Works in the Bible. The absolutely intriguing Works vs faith and Works in the Bible message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.
Click the link below to learn more of faith versus law:
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians
Chapter 2
Christian Works Vs Faith Facts
Biblical Works in the Bible Explained
It's certainly a pleasure to have you back again at Daily Bread. As
you may remember in the first chapter of this letter from Paul, he
was showing us how to count our spiritual blessings. In this second
chapter, Paul explains even more about these heavenly blessings that
God has gifted us with so let's take a look.
Ephesians 2:1-3
1 And you hath He quickened [given life], who were dead in
trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course
[path] of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air
[the devil], the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation [lived] 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.
This reminds me of something. There's a time in everyone's life, when
you think you know everything. And then, lo and behold (Did you ever
realize that lo and behold are Bible words which mean look and see?
Just thought I'd sneak a little Daily Bread Crumb in on ya!), a time
comes when you look back and realize how terribly wrong you were
about that. And then it happens again. And again. And again, again,
again, etc.
Christian Works Vs Faith Truth
Biblical Works in the Bible Debate
Even when you concede to the fact that you can't possibly know
everything, you start to thinking that you know all the necessary and
important stuff anyway. And then you find out you were wrong about
that too. Over and over again. So, when you meet someone who hasn't
found Truth yet (children of disobedience), be understanding
(although not approving), because they just haven't caught up with
you yet, and they still know everything. We all had our time in the
dark, living worldly.
Who are we to judge those who aren't fortunate enough to have opened
their heart to the Truth yet? Aren't we glad that God allowed us the
time to choose when we were ready to come out of the darkness into
the light? There is a delicate balance that one has to practice,
because you don't want them to think you approve of their lifestyle,
yet you don't want to scare them away by being judgmental and harsh.
Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love
wherewith He loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [gave
us life] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together
in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding
[abundant] riches of His Grace in His kindness toward us through
Christ Jesus.
8 For by Grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves [not from any of
your own doing]: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast [be proud].
10 For we are his workmanship [creation], created in
Christ Jesus unto [for] good works, which God hath before ordained
[prepared] that we should walk in them.
Christian Works Vs Faith Study
Biblical Works in the Bible Quest
There's a key word here to remember because I know it can be
confusing about the Faith vs. works thing. That word is Grace.
Paul just said by Grace you're saved through Faith, not of works. And
then in the very next sentence he said that we are created in Christ
for good works.
Well, that sounds pretty contradicting, but when you think about it,
when you're reborn, and you become one with Christ, naturally, good
works are within you. They are effortless. They are second nature so
to speak. You don't have to plan them or try to do good things, they
are part of you. You don't have to work to do the good works that you
were created to do.
Ephesians 2:11-12
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles
in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision [non-Jewish] by that
which is called the Circumcision [Jewish] in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye 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:
Think about this for a second. Being part of a gang is a popular
practice in the world today. To become a part of a gang, many are
required to do grueling things, both physically and spiritually. To
become a Christian, all one has to do is believe and the hope and
communion with God is instantaneous. You are part of God's family,
the Body of Christ. Paul describes it even more:
Christian Works Vs Faith Hope
Biblical Works in the Bible Warning
Ephesians 2:13-22
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off
are made nigh [near] by the blood of Christ.
14 For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us [no more
Jewish/non-Jewish, no more separate gangs, but all one];
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity [the law],
even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in
Himself of twain [two] one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body
by the cross, having slain [done away with] the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off
[Gentiles], and to them that were nigh [the Jews].
18 For through Him we both have access by one
Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household [family] of
God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of [built by] the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner
stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth
unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation
of God through the Spirit. [The Holy Spirit lives in you!]
Access. That's quite an interesting and fitting word for what
Paul is saying. It is the freedom, availability, and opportunity to
be of God, whenever we want. It's the freedom, availability, and
opportunity to call on Him, to talk to Him, to praise Him, to thank
Him, to use the power that He bestows on you through the Holy Spirit,
to depend on Him, to be in His presence, to rely on Him, to know Him.
It's all yours. Do these sound like even more spiritual blessings to you?
Christian Works Vs Faith Summary
Biblical Works in the Bible Conclusion
Join us again next time, when we look into more of this wonderful
letter from Paul as he takes us into an even clearer understanding of
the access that we enjoy to our Father. Paul calls this the
mystery of Christ in the next chapter. You don't want to miss it
right here at Daily Bread.
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