Enmity Abolished

Jesus is a Peacemaker – Literally. He took Jew and Gentile into Himself when He hung upon the cross and made One New Man from the two. There is a war that has raged in the earth since the fall of mankind between Law and Grace. The two trees in the Garden typified these two … Continue reading Enmity Abolished

The purpose of the commandment

Yesterday we saw briefly that the Apostle Paul was given a commandment(epitage)from Jesus Himself to turn Gentiles from darkness to light through the preaching of the Gospel of grace. We saw that he goes on to tell Timothy, “to charge(paraggellō) some to preach no other doctrine”, and then says that “the purpose of the commandment(paraggelia) is love from … Continue reading The purpose of the commandment

The Law is for sinners

In this passage Paul lays out many things against those who are going astray and he uses the words like: charge, commandment, law, lawfully, command. We are normally told that Paul is exhorting us to keep with the old testament commandments but it is the opposite that Paul is teaching to believers. Let's look into this chapter to see what is going on...

Has the Law been set aside?

Heb 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, Heb 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (NKJV) Heb 7:18 The old rule, then, is set … Continue reading Has the Law been set aside?

Stop trying to be holy

He did not make us righteous so that we would turn around and say, ‘Thanks Lord, I am righteous so now I am going to try really hard to stay righteous’. No! We are made righteous and holy so we can REST from all our self effort.

He Himself is our peace

We can make the simple choice to believe His word right here at this point. IN the midst of raging emotions and contrary circumstances you can simply stand on His promise stated clearly right here in Ephesians 2 and DECLARE OUT LOUD that I am brought near to God right now despite what my eyes, ears and emotions are telling me.

Once were far off

God is full of paradoxes, don't you love Him? The first shall be last and the Last shall be first is one such paradox that He seems to love.

I believe therefore I speak

That missing ingredient I want to share is faith. And as I say to my wife faith is never divorced from words. If we believe we shall speak! In fact whatever we believe we shall speak of it. That may be good or bad for us.

Good works ordained

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Grace is freely received

Continuing on looking at Ephesians 2 we see Paul repeating what he mentioned in verse 5- ‘we are saved by grace.’ Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJV