Friday: Further Thought ~ How God Rescues Us

Further Thought:

Underlying the Epistle to the Ephesians is a story that is often rehearsed in part or alluded to in it. The major events in the narrative are these:

God’s choice of the people “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11).

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Their past, lost existence (Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:11-12; Ephesians 4:17-19, Ephesians 4:22; Ephesians 5:8).
The intervention of God in Christ to save them (Ephesians 1:7-8; Ephesians 2:4-6, Ephesians 2:13-19; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:20-21; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:8, Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:25-26).
Their acceptance of the gospel (Ephesians 1:12-13, and implied elsewhere). Having once “no hope” (Ephesians 2:12), they now possess the “one hope” toward which believers move (Ephesians 4:4; compare Ephesians 1:18).
The present lives of the addressees as disciples. Though living at a time fraught with hazards and the opposition of the evil powers, they may draw on the resources offered by their exalted Lord (Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 4:7-16, Ephesians 6:10-20).
In the future culmination of history, the Spirit’s role as “guarantee” (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV), or “seal” (Ephesians 4:30), reaches fruition. In this crowning moment, the addressees will be rewarded for their faithfulness by taking possession of the “inheritance” already granted to them in Christ (Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 6:8-9); and, through their faith in Christ, they will be granted a place in the Christ-centered age to come (Ephesians 1:21; Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:13, Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:27).

Discussion Questions:

The underlying story of Ephesians (see above) is not just the story of believers in the first century. It is our own story. Which of the major steps or stages of that story gives you the most hope in this moment?
Why do you think it is that Paul so frequently recalls the sinful past of his audience, inviting them to reflect on their pre-conversion lives?
Compare Paul’s summary of the gospel in Ephesians 2:8-10 to his earlier summary in Romans 1:16-17. What similar themes emerge? In what ways are the two different?
While the good works of believers play no role in their redemption, in that they can never give people saving merit before God, what important part do they play in God’s plans for believers? Ephesians 2:10.

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Friday: Further Thought ~ How God Rescues Us — 6 Comments

Maurice Ashton on July 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm said:

I think that most of our readers would know that I really love bird photography. I use bird illustrations here in this forum, I post my photos on Facebook, and I take my iPad to church so that I can show my friends what I have photographed. I also interact with a lot of people who have no interest in Christianity on the topic of birds. Yesterday I went to a regional meeting of the U3A where I know only one other person. When I started talking with the others at the meeting someone immediately said, "You are the bird man aren't you!" That's a bit scary!

My point is that I am quite excited about birds and most people know it.

This week we have been invited to read one of the greatest statements about salvation in the Bible. Paul is really excited about it and you can tell from his writing that he is passionate about Christianity. And it is not just "pie in the sky" stuff. It's about living in Christ now.

The question I have to ask myself is: am I as excited about Christianity as I am about bird photography?

What is your question?

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JC Zielak on July 21, 2023 at 2:47 am said:

God is too wonderful! There is no way to recognize life without being in awe! He is much, much more than we can expect or realize. He is awesome! While we are nothing but strawed. Everything He does is perfect, even to let this planet go mad, to show the Universe how much love He can have for His creation!

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John Herscher on July 21, 2023 at 4:26 am said:

In answering question #4 Paul touches on the answer here in Ephesians 2:10, but don't stop there read Philippians 2:13. And read James 1:22-25. Then read Williams's article, of this week, there is more to justification than just justification.

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Melvin Pascall on July 21, 2023 at 5:48 am said:

Excellent point John.

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Brigitte Humphery on July 21, 2023 at 10:06 am said:

“How God rescues us” is the incredible story of Mercy, Grace and determination by our Creator to save His Creation for its original intent and purpose – to reflect and thank God!
I really appreciated the lesson writer's clear and precise style as he addresses the difficult task of explaining spiritual truths by using words. With the Holy Spirit as its source, He did this exceptionally well in this wrap-up of ‘Further Thoughts’.
To me, Paul's letter to the Ephesians should be seen as a letter addressed to any new believer in Jesus Christ regardless of where or the point in time in which it will be studied.

It is clear from Scripture that our heavenly Father, throughout the ages, reserved to Himself those whom He was able to call upon to speak His Word to those who could not hear Him directly. Over time, in spite of different cultural circumstances, the number of those who could hear Him directly increased steadily.

Now, during God's dispensation of Salvation by Faith, the Ekklesia grows more and more rapidly throughout the world, not being reserved any longer for the Jewish people only. People from all different cultures, backgrounds, and religions are able to come together in Jesus Christ to live as one people/family in the spiritual Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Because the Father established the worlds and all life by and through His Son, life can only exists in and through His Son. In Him we accepted our new nature, and in our new nature we become the vessel for the expression of all that is good which was established from the foundation of the world – Eph.2:10. What a marvelous way of closing the Circle of Life.

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Rosamund W-Gibbons on July 22, 2023 at 1:13 am said:

This lesson moves me to growing gratitude, as well, Brigitte.

Praise God, "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself ...through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will" (Eph 1:4) Chosen to be blameless before conception, birth, dedication and even baptism? Incredible.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ -by grace you have been saved- " Eph 2: 4-5 (ESV)

Praise God for the experience of baptism in Christ! Praise God for His infinite power to make us to rise from deadly trespasses and sins, as He refines our characters to being seekers and agents of heavenly blessings. He sends us out with authority and all-enabling power, raising us to the privileged task of being, "My Witnesses!" Matthew 28: 18-20

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians. 2: 8 thru 10 (ESV)

"But you are a chosen generation, ... His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" 1Peter 2:9. (NKJV)

Praise God for rescuing us through his winning plan of Creation, coupled with Redemption!

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