Ephesians 2:21-22 says, “In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” When king Solomon built the temple, he had all the stones quarried and then placed together. They were created to fit before they were laid.

It is time for the church to rise up and walk in her destiny. We, the church, are God’s display on this earth and to the hosts of wickedness. We are living stones built together to be united under one purpose ~ God’s. Beware of satan’s device work to divide. He hates families, and he hates the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

Verse 20 says, “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.” There is only one Head. Colossians 2:19 says, “And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.”

We are created to fit together, with each member having their own function in the body. We are corporate. We may not personally know other living stones in other countries, but that is why we need to be in a local body of believers.

I like to think about the group of folks in the upper room. Acts 2:1 says that they were of one accord. 120 folks having one mind and purpose. I surmise that there were some heart discussions. Perhaps offenses were cleared up, and forgiveness was asked for and freely given.

The Strong’s definition for one accord is: being unanimous, having mutual consent, and group unity. Their heart rapport was the foundation the Lord used to lay in building His new church. 1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”

Ephesians 2:11-22 is a great passage to remind us of what we were before salvation. We were hostile to God! We were alienated, but through His death He brought us near. I have to be reminded, because in my own thinking I’d never consider myself an enemy of God. I was born and raised in a Christian home and in church all my life. Yet…

God’s word clearly spells out the reality. Verse 15 says, “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity…so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” Why? Verse 16 says, “And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”

Verses 19-22 laid the foundation for His church. 1 Peter 2:5 says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We are the church that He died for.

We are called with a holy calling to proclaim Him to those around us. We are His temple of righteousness. Nothing has been procured by us. No works, no acts, no good deeds could ever gain our salvation. It had to come through Jesus’ shed blood. It is through His forgiveness of sins that allows us access to eternal life.

We who were hostile, lost, condemned, and children of wrath, are brought into a personal relationship with our Redeemer. We can look back and shudder at our lostness, then look forward and rejoice in our Savior’s love ~ and bow in humble adoration.

Romans 3:11 says, “There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.” We were hopelessly lost. John 6:44 says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him…” Ephesians 2:4 says, “But God…” It is God the Father who awakens our heart. He, the fullness of Light, calls out to us in our darkness. Verse 5 says, “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

Verse 7 stated the reason: “That is the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Not just in this present age, but throughout eternity. His grace is indescribable. Eternity has no end.

Verses 8-9 again reminds us that salvation has nothing to do with us, but everything comes through His redeeming love for us. He loved and drew us. He raised us from the dead, and through His grace He saved us when we first believed. Such mercy, love, and grace!

Our role is still found in verse 10 which says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Our good works were prepared, but He continues to prepare us to walk in those good works through our trials. Everything He allows in our lives, is to conform us to His image, that we might reflect His grace to others.

We are saved by grace. We stand in His grace. His grace empowers us moment by moment when we walk in humility. It is His grace-strength that sustains us through our myriad trials. It is His grace that will lead us into His Eternal Presence forever.

Ephesians 2:1 accurately described our condition before salvation. We were spiritually dead. No stimulus can cause anything dead to respond. Therefore why couldn’t we respond? We were alienated, or cut off from the life of God; our hearts were dark; our thoughts were futile, we were lost and condemned; we were slaves of uncleanness.

Verse 2-3 says that we were controlled by the prince of the power of the air. We lived in the lusts of our flesh. We were by nature children of wrath. BUT, verse 3 says, “…God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” In His mercy and love He made a way for us to enter into eternal life with Him.

Psalm 103:10 says, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.” Why? Isaiah 53:12 says, “…Because He poured out His soul until death, He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

From Slave To Redeemed Worshipper!

Psalm 145:1-3 says, “I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.”

Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”

I have taken you through Ephesians 1 because that is what we have IN Christ. Verse 21 stated how powerless our enemies really are. It says that He is seated, “Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

Let me remind you that our Creator created them for His purpose. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and FOR Him.”

What is happening right now? Ephesians 3:10 revealed our role. It says, “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and power in the heavenly places.” Verse 11 says, “According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We, as His church, must rise and take her rightful place. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

What will happen in the end? 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 says, “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”

Colossians 2:15 says, “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Our foe was defeated. He can only work through deception. Beware of fiery dart lying propagandas!

Ephesians 1:19 was the continuation of Paul’s prayer. I like to read it in the Amplified. It says, “And (so that you can know and understand) what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power IN and FOR us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty power.”

Verse 20 described that mighty power, “Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His (own) right hand in the heavenly (places).”

The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is IN us. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams).”

Verse 21 explained why He put His resurrection power in us. It says, “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).”

Philippians 2:13 Amplified says, “(Not in your own strength) for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you (energizing and creating in you the power and desire), both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

We were created to bring God glory through every aspect of our lives. We do this best when we yield to His resurrection power within us, so that He can carry out His preordained purpose for our lives. He does the work – we believe and yield our hearts as willing vessels.

Ephesians 1:17 was the beginning of Paul’s life-impacting prayer for the church in Ephesus. The Amplified says, “(For I always pray to) the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into mysteries and secrets) in the (deep and intimate) knowledge of Him.”

When I was on the swim team in high school, we had to dive down into the water to reach the bottom of the 10′ pool. We were surrounded by the presence of the water. It engulfed us. That is a good analogy for diving down into our relationship with the Lord so that we can thrive and flourish – not for ourselves but that we are empowered to reflect Him to others.

Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled…” Why did they marvel? The verse goes on to say, “…And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”

Can that be said of you? Is your relationship with the Lord deep? Do you reflect His character in every aspect of your lives? These are questions I asked myself. We are created to glorify the Lord. One way we do that is by abiding in Him, drinking in His Presence, communing heart to Heart.

Psalm 25:14 Amplified says, “The secret (of the sweet, satisfying companionship) of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its (deep, inner) meaning.” Proverbs 3:32 Amplified says, “…but His confidential communion and secret counsel are with the (uncompromisingly) righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him).”

The Holy Spirit is always at work within our heart. He opens the eyes of our understanding. He directs us to make practical application of Scripture so that we can walk in it. He uses our circumstances to conform us to God’s will and way. 2 Peter 1:3 says that He has given us all the tools needed to empower us to be more Christ-like in our motives, thoughts, and actions.

I love Ephesians 1. It has so many great truths that undergird my faith. Verse 11 says, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works ALL things according to the counsel of His will.”

I want to jump to verse 18 and tell you what happened yesterday in God’s masterful orchestration in my life. It was part of Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus. It says, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

Yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a TV program I had watched several times at a friend’s house. Bewitched started in 1964. It was an ‘innocent’ program that fascinated me. The Holy Spirit brought it up. I confessed my fascination as sin. I renounced the lies of the occult-influence, and affirmed the truth that God is All Powerful. Nothing has any power because He has it all.

I felt a release. What I didn’t understand right away was that the program’s influence was a cover to mask the seeds of rebellion that were planted AS I was watching the program. Later on I was reading my assignment for my online college class. Rebellion swooped up because I was faced-off with truth. My attitude was fleshly. I was stunned. What just happened?

What happened was the Holy Spirit flooded my heart with light. It was part of His orchestration in bringing my heart into purity. Matthew 5:8 is one of my favorites. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Progressive sanctification is a process of revealing and removing the things that opaque or darken our witness. We are called to display and reflect the glory of the Lord’s character. The enemy of our soul sows seed-lies through his myriad influences. Ephesians 2:2 called him the prince of the power of the air. He uses fiery darts, air waves (TV, media), sowing discord, and luring us into sin through temptations that entice because of hidden sins, etc.

I encourage you to sit before the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to reveal things that are hidden in your heart. It may be books that you have read, shows that had subtle occult-influence, games, or things on the internet that are defiling your heart. Confess and renounce the sin-lies, and affirm the truth.

2 Corinthians 4:2 says, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of “God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Ephesians 1:8 Amplified says of His grace, “Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence).” When I think of the word ‘lavish’ I am reminded of an artesian well. It perpetually bubbles up with freshness and vitality. Are you living in His lavish grace?

The fruit of humility is walking in His path of righteousness that is strewn with grace. James 4:6 says that He gives grace to the humble. This morning I woke up with the phrase of a song that attempted to describe His grace. ‘Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe!’ 2 Corinthians 9:14-15 says, “…who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”

I love to think about John 1:16 in the Amplified. It says, “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received (all had a share and we were all supplied with) one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift (heaped) upon gift.”

I encourage you to stand and keep on standing in His grace box. Let all four sides hem you in with His words to Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Amplified says, “…My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully); for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves more effective in (your weakness)…”

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” There is so much foundation truth in this one verse. Through Jesus’ shed blood, He paid the full penalty of our sin. He was the perfect sacrifice. He redeemed or bought us back from satan’s sin-block, which bound us with no hope of ever being free.

Here is David’s testimony of redemption. Psalm 40:2-3 says, “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth–praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”

Here is Job’s testimony. Job 19:25 says, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.”

Let us proclaim our testimony and not keep silent! Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

We were redeemed from destruction and forgiven ALL of our sins: past, present, and future. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” In 1987 I was in Ecuador. I straddled the line between the north and the south. They meet, but the east does not. Amazing illustration to help us understand that we will never meet our sins again.

We are forgiven unequivocally and given His grace to forgive others AS we have been forgiven. Do we dare to withhold heart forgiveness from those who hurt us? Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”