412 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 1 - Part 4 - Book 35 - Instruction In Righteousness

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 4 * BOOK 35 INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS In our last lesson we ended with the concept in verse 4 that we are chosen in Christ, in that position that we now enjoy in the heavenlies. It was not a surprise to God when we were saved, because He said, "Well I knew that from eternity past." And in the next verse or two, when we come to predestination, it isn't that we were predestined to salvation or Hell but rather to this position that we enjoy in Christ. Now look at verse 4 again. Ephesians 1:4 Verse 4 again: Ephesians 1:4b Wow! Without blame? Everyone of us are sinners saved by Grace, but we still have the old sin nature, and we all still sin. Then Paul has the audacity to say that we are "blameless."I Corinthians 1:6-7 "Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (by virtue of their salvation ) 7. So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:" Paul was already like us today, waiting for the Rapture. Now verse 8. I Corinthians 1:8 Many try to make it a lot harder to get to Heaven than God does. I personally cannot believe that a true born-again child of God will test God's Grace. Now back to Ephesians chapter 1. Ephesians 1:4b Because of what Christ has done on our behalf. Ephesians 1:4b-5 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," Remember when we were back in Galatians we dealt with the word `adoption.' Now you put that into our position as believers, the moment we're saved we don't have to go through a long period of training and preparation but immediately where does God position us? Equal with Christ the Son. Now looking at verse 5 again. Ephesians 1:5a "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,..." (Reference I Thessalonians 4:13-18) How does Paul put it? Turn back with me for a moment to Romans chapter 8. Romans 8:17-18 "And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; (now you all know what it means to be a joint-heir. Oh we sometimes think God's forgotten about these things, but He hasn't for it's coming. Now Ephesians verse 5 continuing - we have been adopted- Ephesians 1:5b Remember what Paul said about his apostleship? How did Paul become an apostle? Not by his will, but by God's will. Ephesians 1:1a "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,..." How did we become a child of God? Not by our will, but rather by God's will. We didn't respond when God began to woo us, but thank God at least we finally did. God opened her heart, but what did she do? She listened and responded. I think that's the perfect Scriptural explanation of how salvation works. God opens the heart, but He doesn't force His way in. Now I've always made this analogy - when we went out to the ball diamond and literally yelled at all the kids, "Come on, we're going to have a ball game." The call went out to the whole playground but only they that responded ended up chosen to play ball. The Lord opened her heart. In other words the Lord said, "Come on Lydia." That didn't catch God by surprise. Now let's come back to the Book of Ephesians chapter 1. So God has placed us in this position as joint-heirs with Christ according to the good pleasure of his will. Now verse 6. Ephesians 1:6a "To the praise of the glory of his grace...." Now I guess if I have trumpeted any one word in the years that we've been doing this program it's that word `Grace.' Ephesians 1:6b In Christ! Why am I in Christ? Why are you in Christ? Simply by His Grace. Now another verse comes to mind in the Book of Colossians chapter 3. So Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians are in that next step up in the area of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Now chapter 3 starting with verse 1. Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ, (in other words you have experienced His death, burial, and resurrection by faith. If you have gone through that then) seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Remember back in the gospels, Jesus said something similar to that- God isn't tight, but on the other hand we can't demand them of Him. But if He has seen fit in Grace to bless us with things there's nothing wrong as long as they are in the right order of priorities. Colossians 3:3 "For ye are dead, (Wow! Old Adam is dead. God reckons that old sin nature of you and I as believers as dead,) and your life is hid with Christ in God." Now again there is that two-fold position of the believer. We are in Christ, and in God, and nothing can touch us in that glorious safe, secure position. The death angel. #lesfeldick #biblestudy #bible