BRUCE C WEARNE continues his look at Ephesians chapter with verses eight to 13…
For it is by a gift that you are [being] saved. It is not something from you; it is a gift bestowed upon us by God. Not of what you can do; it is not a matter of anyone’s credentials. For us being God’s own workmanship (POIEMA) [His project] is what this is all about, created in Christ for the good works that God has, all along, already prepared for us so that we could walk in them.
You may well remember when you were called “uncircumcised” by those who spoke of themselves as “circumcised”, who took it upon themselves to administer circumcision by hand, that at that time you were [a creature] separated (CHORIS) from Christ, a foreigner to the regime (POLITEIAS) of Israel, a stranger to the covenants of promise, having [thereby] no hope whatsoever, [that is what you were] those who had been completely without faith, in the world without hope and godless. But in Christ Jesus, you, the ones who were far away, have now been brought in [into the régime] by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2: 8-13/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
Walking together. PICTURE: Henry Zu/Unsplash
“[W]e are to view ourselves as those called to intimately share in this project, as members of His family, as members of His world-wide body, with Him whose purposes will not be thwarted. This is, in fact, what this letter and the entire New Testament refers to as our predestination in Christ Jesus.”
The Good News is the definitive and culminating declaration that God has opened the way for humankind to (re)join Him in His work of bringing His creation to fulfilment. And our confession is that in Christ’s work in us, we are made His restored image-bearers.
That is precisely what He is actively doing. Hence, we are to view ourselves as those called to intimately share in this project, as members of His family, as members of His world-wide body, with Him whose purposes will not be thwarted. This is, in fact, what this letter and the entire New Testament refers to as our predestination in Christ Jesus.
The purpose is described in these words: “so that in them, these good works, you may walk”.
So is there not a presumption here of the faithful, circumcised son asking: “And what of those who have not been included Father?” to which the Father replies: “God’s word is not only for those who have been brought near. There are other sheep who are not of this sheepfold! The Lord will, in His own time, bring them near, bringing all who are dear to Him.”
It was for this sacrifice, this shedding of blood that would bring redemption, that the law was given; after humankind’s defection, the shedding of blood would have to be part of obedience to the Father’s will. But without the obedience of Israel’s Messiah, the One Person who could grant just standing to Israel, the law itself became a barrier provoking enmity between Jew and Gentile, by demarcating who is, and who is not, “circumcised”.
The presumption of those within Israel who believe that they are specially chosen because they have been circumcised with the implied responsibility of keeping the law as the rule for their way of life, is now overthrown by the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive project because of the perfect sacrifice of the One laying down His life. On the other hand, the ignorance of those outside Israel, who in this life are without faith and hope, living a godless existence, is likewise overthrown by the call of Christ Jesus Himself.
God is the Ruler and Redeemer not only of those nearby. He is also concerned for those far away. They too are now brought near – it is the blood of Christ Jesus shed for a complete remission of sins, taking away the sins of the world, that has cleared the way for this new birth.
OPEN BOOK – THE PRISONER’S LETTER: SAVED FOR THE “GOOD WORKS” ALREADY PREPARED
BRUCE C WEARNE continues his look at Ephesians chapter with verses eight to 13…
For it is by a gift that you are [being] saved. It is not something from you; it is a gift bestowed upon us by God. Not of what you can do; it is not a matter of anyone’s credentials. For us being God’s own workmanship (POIEMA) [His project] is what this is all about, created in Christ for the good works that God has, all along, already prepared for us so that we could walk in them.
You may well remember when you were called “uncircumcised” by those who spoke of themselves as “circumcised”, who took it upon themselves to administer circumcision by hand, that at that time you were [a creature] separated (CHORIS) from Christ, a foreigner to the regime (POLITEIAS) of Israel, a stranger to the covenants of promise, having [thereby] no hope whatsoever, [that is what you were] those who had been completely without faith, in the world without hope and godless. But in Christ Jesus, you, the ones who were far away, have now been brought in [into the régime] by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2: 8-13/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne
Walking together. PICTURE: Henry Zu/Unsplash
“[W]e are to view ourselves as those called to intimately share in this project, as members of His family, as members of His world-wide body, with Him whose purposes will not be thwarted. This is, in fact, what this letter and the entire New Testament refers to as our predestination in Christ Jesus.”
The Good News is the definitive and culminating declaration that God has opened the way for humankind to (re)join Him in His work of bringing His creation to fulfilment. And our confession is that in Christ’s work in us, we are made His restored image-bearers.
That is precisely what He is actively doing. Hence, we are to view ourselves as those called to intimately share in this project, as members of His family, as members of His world-wide body, with Him whose purposes will not be thwarted. This is, in fact, what this letter and the entire New Testament refers to as our predestination in Christ Jesus.
The purpose is described in these words: “so that in them, these good works, you may walk”.
So is there not a presumption here of the faithful, circumcised son asking: “And what of those who have not been included Father?” to which the Father replies: “God’s word is not only for those who have been brought near. There are other sheep who are not of this sheepfold! The Lord will, in His own time, bring them near, bringing all who are dear to Him.”
It was for this sacrifice, this shedding of blood that would bring redemption, that the law was given; after humankind’s defection, the shedding of blood would have to be part of obedience to the Father’s will. But without the obedience of Israel’s Messiah, the One Person who could grant just standing to Israel, the law itself became a barrier provoking enmity between Jew and Gentile, by demarcating who is, and who is not, “circumcised”.
The presumption of those within Israel who believe that they are specially chosen because they have been circumcised with the implied responsibility of keeping the law as the rule for their way of life, is now overthrown by the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive project because of the perfect sacrifice of the One laying down His life. On the other hand, the ignorance of those outside Israel, who in this life are without faith and hope, living a godless existence, is likewise overthrown by the call of Christ Jesus Himself.
God is the Ruler and Redeemer not only of those nearby. He is also concerned for those far away. They too are now brought near – it is the blood of Christ Jesus shed for a complete remission of sins, taking away the sins of the world, that has cleared the way for this new birth.
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