Words for The Wise, Called to Serve, Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Made Alive in Christ

2 And you ^[a]were dead ^[b]in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you formerly walked according to the ^[c]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, ^[d]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the ^[e]mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead ^[f]in our transgressions, made us alive together ^[g]with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and ^[h]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship ,created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

¹¹ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision, ”which is performed in the flesh by human hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, ^[i]excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off ^[j]have been brought near ^[k]by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the ^[l]barrier of the dividing wall,^15 [m]by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might ^[n]make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, ^[o]by it having put to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;¹⁸ for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the ^[p]saints, and are of God’s household,²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets ,Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy ^[q]temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

The Bible Panorama

Ephesians 2

V 1–3: SIN Now alive in Christ, the Ephesian Christians were formerly spiritually dead, led by Satan, and following their sinful lusts. Like others, their sins would have resulted in God’s wrath, but for His salvation.

 V 4–10: SAVED God, rich in mercy and great in love, has saved them by His grace through Christ. They have been raised spiritually and have heavenly standing in Christ. They have not worked to earn their salvation, but they are saved to work for Him.

 V 11–13: STANDING Before this, they had no standing before God. They were not God’s Old Testament people, Israel, who had special covenants with God. However, now in Christ they, as uncircumcised Gentiles, are brought near to God through Christ’s blood, which was shed for sinners.

 V 14–18: SAME As both Jews and Gentiles are only made right with God through the reconciling death of Christ upon the cross, those who trust Christ are now one through Him. They have the same access through the Spirit to the Father. Jews and Gentiles come the same way to God. They are now reconciled to each other as well as to God because the wall between them has been broken down.

 V 19–22: SPIRIT As fellow citizens with saved Jews, based on Jesus Christ the chief cornerstone, the Ephesians know the dwelling of God the Holy Spirit in their lives, just as converted Jews do. Together, founded on the apostles and the prophets, they are built up by God into a spiritual temple, and indwelt by Him.

NIV Application Commentary

Further Explanation of Salvation by Grace (2:8–10)

Good works prepared beforehand. The purpose of God’s creative activity is not merely to have a people, as if he were constructing a work of art. Rather, this new creation is to be active and productive like the Creator. Christians are “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (contrast to 2:2). Salvation is not from works, but it surely is for works, that is, living obediently and productively. In keeping with 1:3–14 on God’s planning, choosing, and acting, this verse shows God planned and acted not only to save, but also to mark out the way we should live. John Stott’s words are not too strong: “Good works are indispensable to salvation—not as its ground or means … but as its consequence and evidence.”

Paul does not normally speak of “good works.” “Works” has such a negative connotation for him from his debates about works of the law that he rarely uses the plural of this word in a positive sense (elsewhere only in Rom. 2:6, an Old Testament quotation, and in the Pastorals). When he does use “works” positively, he adds the adjective “good” to prevent misunderstanding. No focus on self for reasons of pride is permitted; attention to self to ensure ethical responsibility is required.

Dictionary of Bible Themes

8442 good works

Acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. He requires and enables his people to do good, although such is contrary to their sinful human nature. Salvation does not depend on good works, but leads to them.

Good works are characteristic of God

Jer 32:36-40 See also Ps 119:17,65; Ps 125:1-4; Jer 32:41; Mic 2:7; Zec 8:14-15; Ac 10:37-38

Good works are unnatural for sinful human beings

Jer 13:23 See also Ps 5:9; Ps 10:7; Ps 14:1-3 pp Ps 53:1-3; Ps 36:1-4; Ps 140:3; Ecc 7:20; Isa 59:7-8; Jer 4:22; Ro 3:9-18; Ro 7:13-23

God’s people are encouraged to do good works

Gal 6:9-10 See also Ps 37:3; Ecc 3:12; Mt 5:38-48 pp Lk 6:27-36; 1Pe 3:8-13; Ps 34:12-16; 1Pe 4:19

God is pleased with the good works of his people

Heb 13:16 See also 1Pe 2:20,15; 1Pe 3:17

Good works will be rewarded

Jn 5:28-29 See also Lk 6:35; Ro 2:5-11; Gal 6:9-10; 1Ti 6:17-19

Good works as evidence of repentance

Ps 34:14 See also Ps 37:27; 2Ti 2:20-21; Jas 2:14-21,26; Jas 3:13; 1Pe 3:10-12

Good works as evidence of God’s grace in the lives of believers

2Co 9:8 See also Ac 9:36; Php 2:12-13; Col 1:10-12

Good works are the purpose of the new creation

Eph 2:10 See also 2Ti 2:21; 2Ti 3:16-17; 1Pe 2:13-15

Jesus Christ criticised for doing good works on the Sabbath

Mt 12:9-14 pp Mk 3:1-6 pp Lk 6:6-11 See also Lk 13:10-17; Jn 9:1-41

Galatians 6:9-10New American Standard Bible (NASB)

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, [a]while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Colossians 1:10-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [a]to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and [b]increasing in the [c]knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to [d]His glorious might, [e]for the attaining of all steadfastness and [f]patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us [g]to share in the inheritance of the [h]saints in Light.

1 Peter 3:8-13New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 [a]To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but [b]giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,

Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

11 “He must turn away from evil and do good;

He must seek peace and pursue it.

12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,

And His ears attend to their prayer,

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Who is [c]there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

Will You Go Out Without Knowing? Oswald Chambers Daily Devotionals

He went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8

Have you ever “gone out” in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, “What do you expect to do?” You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to “go out” in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don’t know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to “go out,” building your confidence in God. “…do not worry about your life…nor about the body…” (Luke 12:22). In other words, don’t worry about the things that concerned you before you did “go out.”

Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do— He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you “go out” in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?

Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to “go out” in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to “go out” through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.

Hebrews 11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the [a]assurance of things [b]hoped for, the [c]conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old [d]gained approval.

3 By faith we understand that the [e]worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying [f]about his gifts, and through [g]faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, [h]in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed [i]by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Personal Life: The Set of Our Sails A W Tozer.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank....—Daniel 1:8Though we do not hear much of it in this age of spineless religion, there is nevertheless much in the Bible about the place of moral determination in the service of the Lord. "Jacob vowed a vow," and it was the beginning of a very wonderful life with God....Daniel "purposed in his heart," and God honoured his purpose. Jesus set his face like a flint and walked straight toward the cross. Paul "determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified,"...These are only a few of the many men and women of the Bible who have left us a record of spiritual greatness born out of a will firmly set to do the will of God....Let us, then, set our sails in the will of God. If we do this we will certainly find ourselves moving in the right direction, no matter which way the wind blows. The Set of the Sail, pp. 11-13

"Lord, today I renew the vow I made many years ago to serve You unreservedly. I'm often pulled in other directions, but keep me focused and faithful, undeterred and undefiled. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Further Reading

Part 1 Words for the Wise, The Predestination and Purpose, Ephesians 1 NIV

Part 3 Words for The Wise, The Gospel Centred Life , Ephesians 3 English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

Words for the Wise, The Predestination and Purpose, Ephesians 1 NIV

Ephesians 1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for spiritual blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

The Bible Panorama

Ephesians 1

V 1–2: GODLY GREETING Paul, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, greets the Ephesian Christians. His apostleship comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. So does his greeting of grace and peace. 

V 3–12: GLORIOUS GRACE Paul recounts God’s blessing already received by those whom God has chosen before the foundation of the world. His grace is the means through which Christians have been redeemed through the blood of Christ and have received forgiveness of sins. God’s grace is full of riches, accomplishes His will in the believer’s predestination, and causes those who trust Him to glorify Him through their praise. 

V 13–14: GOSPEL’S GUARANTEE When a person trusts the Lord Jesus Christ through the gospel of salvation, he or she is sealed through God’s Holy Spirit. He enters that believer’s life as a guarantee of completed redemption to come, which will result in praise to God’s glory. 

V 15–21: GREAT GIFT In thanking God for the Ephesian Christians, Paul asks that they will have the most important gift of the spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him. With this gift they will understand something of the hope of their calling, the riches which are theirs, and the resurrection power available to them as Christians. They will see the pre-eminence and wonder of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

V 22–23: GOVERNING GOD God the Father has put all things under the feet of God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of everything, including the church. His fullness fills it and everything else.

Where are you? From Elim Missions

Ephesians 1

The year is around AD62, Paul is under house arrest with a Roman guard. He is contained, limited and not free to travel like he has been. He is restricted to reach the many churches he still wants to visit.

Do you know this kind of place? A place of containment?
This is where Paul was.
But he disagrees.

He says, v3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ".
"I am not sitting in this prison, I am living my life in the heavenly realms!"
The heavenly realms is the unseen world of spiritual reality where we are one in Christ.

a. I am under arrest but I am at the horizon. The point of the physical and spiritual, the visible and the invisible. 

v1 I am a servant, called, an apostle (sent!), set apart. How is this possible?
Because the physical circumstances will not define me. I will find a way because I live at the horizon. 

The horizon is a sitting place, v20 and in the next chapter 2:6. It means you are not moving forward. We are so used to hearing messages of breakthrough, advancement, growth and it is all good. But here is a New Years message: sit down! 

Stop trying to make things happen. Stop getting tired from your own efforts. Learn how to relax in God. Learn how not to carry the weight of your problems, but give Jesus your burdens.

Let God work for you not you work for Him.

You are seated with Christ.
b. v18 I am under arrest but I have hope. This is not hope so. This is a real, tangible, guaranteed hope in Jesus. You have not been put on this earth to go under and stay under, to be overwhelmed and eaten away at the predicament you have found yourself to be in. You were created for something much better! Our hope is in His resurrection, v20.

Further Reading

Part 2 Words for The Wise, Called to Serve, Ephesians 2 Nasb

'New York Times' Launches All-Out Attack on Christianity

'New York Times' Launches All-Out Attack on Christianity

Apparently, The New York Times is in favor of faith in the public square—if the purpose is to mock it. Editors at theTimes poured gasoline on the fire of Atlanta's latest controversy with an editorial that should shock even their most liberal readers. Just when you thought the media couldn't sink any lower, the Times takes on the same First Amendment that gives it the freedom to print these vicious attacks on Christians.

In a stunning column on Jan. 13, the newspaper argues that men and women of faith have no place in public management of any kind. The piece, which shows a remarkable disinterest in the facts, claims that Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran didn't have permission to publish his book on biblical morality. Not only did Cochran have permission from the city's ethics office to publish his book, but he only distributed it in his personal capacity at church—where a handful of his coworkers attend.

But the shoddy journalism didn't end there. Editors insisted that Cochran's book was full of "virulent anti-gay views"—when in fact, the 162 page book only mentioned homosexuality twice. And both times, the conversation merely echoed the Bible's teachings on the subject. For that—privately espousing a faith that a majority of Americans share—Kelvin was fired.

"It should not matter," The New York Times conveniently suggests, "that the investigation found no evidence that Mr. Cochran had mistreated gays or lesbians. His position as a high-level public servant makes his remarks especially problematic, and requires that he be held to a different standard." And what is that "standard," specifically? That he has no First Amendment rights? If so, that's the height of hypocrisy for these editors, who just days ago championed the press's freedom to ridicule religion in the public square. Apparently, The New York Times believes in the freedom of the press to attack faith, but not the public's right to hold a faith in the first place.

God, Gays and the Atlanta Fire Department, New York Times.

Revealed: Shame of the growing number of working Scots who have to rely on food banks, by Andy Philip, Daily Record

 DESPERATE Scots on low wages are forced to rely on charity hand-outs over Christmas.

RECORD numbers of desperate Scots on low wages were forced to rely on food banks over Christmas, a major charity said yesterday.

About 10,500 adults and children were given a three-day supply of “emergency” food in December, according to the Trussell Trust.

Shockingly, low income climbed above benefit changes or delays as the main reason given by people referred for help across the country.

The total was a 13 per cent increase from the 9263 people using the trust’s 48 food banks in the same month in 2013.

The final figure is likely to be even higher as volunteers continue to update their databases.

Ewan Gurr, the charity’s network manager for Scotland, said: “Low income is normally behind benefit problems, but topped the reasons in December last year and 2013.

“It highlights the impact of the rising cost of food and fuel.

“When you add to that insecure employment and poor wages, it’s a lethal

cocktail. Deeply concerning are the words to describe it.”

He added: “In the most harrowing accounts, we hear from the families choosing whether to prioritise heating their homes or feeding their families and parents losing weight because they overlook their own health and wellbeing to feed their children.

Read more here:

Further Reading:

Record numbers use Scottish food banks by By Marc Ellison Data journalist, BBC Scotland

Labour's private hospital stitch-up: Shocking evidence of how the Left sabotaged NHS success story by Guy Adams & Sophie Borland, Daily Mail Story.

Shocking evidence of how Labour and union figures had the first privately run NHS hospital declared a failure has been uncovered by the Daily Mail.

There are growing calls for an inquiry into how Hinchingbrooke in Cambridgeshire was rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission watchdog – only months after winning an award for patient care.

But the Mail has learned that:

·         Individuals who helped draw up the CQC’s damning report have close ties to the Labour Party and unions which oppose NHS privatisation.

·         The local NHS body, which suddenly slashed the hospital’s funding and imposed arbitrary fines, is heavily influenced by Labour activists.

·         The watchdog’s lead inspector, Dr Jonathan Fielden, was previously a senior member of the doctors’ trade union, the British Medical Association, and has warned of the dangers of privatisation.

·         A second inspector, Dr Nigel Sturrock, has been associated with the Keep Our NHS Public group.

·         And a doctor employed by the hospital who is suspected of briefing the CQC about its supposed failings happens to be the Labour candidate to be the area’s MP. Dr Nik Johnson is believed to have influenced the report’s severe criticism of children’s services in the A&E unit.

The inspection report by the CQC last week led to Circle, the firm running Hinchingbrooke, withdrawing its contract. The hospital has now been placed in special measures and could be closed down.

MPs whose constituents include hospital staff and patients are urging the Health Secretary to begin an inquiry into the inspection. They say the report’s findings are entirely at odds with an award last May naming it as the best performing NHS trust in the country.

David Campbell Bannerman, Tory MEP for the Eastern Region, said: ‘This is a Labour stitch-up. I wonder how many of the CQC’s other inspectors are quietly sympathetic to keeping the NHS public

Read more here:

Words for The Wise, A People of Purpose, Galatians 6 NIV

 

 Galatians 6 New International Version (NIV)

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

NIV Application Commentary

Galatians 6V7-10

People will have to stand before God. [Paul's] point here is clear: since we will stand before God, we must live now before God, and that means living in the Spirit. Put differently, we must do good to all people, especially to the church, which may well have been neglected by those caught up in the divisions at Galatia.

That the antithesis of flesh and Spirit has been in Paul’s mind since he began these injunctions at verse 1 becomes clear with verse 8. What we envision here is a divisiveness that was leading to shunning sinning brothers and sisters, to arrogant leadership, to comparing one’s righteousness with another’s, and to outright ugly treatment of teachers. Such kinds of behavior are “works of the flesh” (5:19–21).

So Paul enters with the strongest foundation that one can perceive: God is the Judge, and people cannot sneer at him. Paul knows that “moral indifference would be an imperfection in God, not a perfection.” If a person lives to the flesh, that person will “reap destruction” (condemnation); if a person lives “in the Spirit,” that person will “reap eternal life.” What Paul is saying is what I have said on numerous occasions in this book: while works do not save us, no one is saved without works. Why? Very simply, because works are the sure indicators of a person’s heart, orientation, and status before God. Every judgment in the Bible is a judgment according to works (cf. Matt. 7:13–27; 16:27; 22:1–14; 25:1–46; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11–15). A person’s final standing before God will be determined by that person’s relationship to Jesus Christ as revealed in his or her works. While it is absolutely true that our grounds of acceptance is the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf, our connection to that sacrifice is by way of a faith that works itself out in the many good works in a person’s life.

So Paul speaks of “doing good,” because doing good is what it means to sow “to please the Spirit.” We should not become weary in doing good because, he repeats, our judgment is based on this (“we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”; v. 9). Paul then argues that the Christian is to do good “to all people,” regardless of their culture, nation, or sex (3:28). But the Christian’s deeds of mercy are especially (though not exclusively) to be directed toward “the family of believers.”

In sum, Paul interweaves two highly fundamental ideas for Christian ethics: mutual accountability and personal responsibility. Indeed, John Barclay sees the alternation between two themes as the structural impulse behind our section. He uses the terms in a reverse direction (personal accountability to God and corporate responsibility to others), and I shall change them to my terms to ease understanding. His structure (changed in terms only) is as follows:

The Bible Panorama

Galatians 6

V 1–5: BEARING BURDENS The outworking of the previous teaching to the Galatians means that the Christian bears the burdens of others. This means a genuine desire to restore those who have gone astray, in a humble and gentle spirit, and a realistic assessment of one’s own ‘nothingness’ apart from Christ. Self-examination is called for.

 V 6–10: SOWING SEED Generosity is a hallmark of a spiritually alive person. He will constantly support those in Christian work, sow generously God’s word in his own life and in others’ lives, and do good to others. He will reap a bountiful harvest and not lose heart. Christians are to be his special target of good works.

V 11–15: CHRIST’S CROSS Paul adds a note in this letter in his own handwriting. Although those who insist on circumcision will continue to persecute Paul, he is determined that his only boasting will be in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. That cross not only deals with his sin: it deals with his heart. It crucifies Paul to the world, and the world to Paul. It has become the instrument making him into a new person. Circumcision can never do that.

V 16–18: WISE WALK God’s peace and mercy rest on those who walk with God. The apostle, seeing himself as crucified with Christ, prays for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with the spirit of those who have received his crucial letter.

The reason for your life part 6 Elim Missions

Coming to the end of this year we have examined how Paul defends his purpose for living. 10 points:

1. Living with purpose keeps the important issues important.

2. Living with purpose leaves no concern for popularity.

3. Living with purpose can be taught but also caught from God.

4. Living with purpose is caught in the desert places.

5. Living with purpose builds your testimony.

6. Living with purpose brings confidence.

7. Living with purpose will have to be defended.

8. Living with purpose is a solid foundation.

Galatians 6

9. Living with purpose holds to personal values.

v1 forgiveness and restoration, not judgement and rejection.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

v2 carry problems of others

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

v3 get rid of pride

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

v4 continually self-assess.

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else

v5 be personally responsible

for each one should carry his own load.

v6 support someone else

v7-9 Don’t give up – sow well reap well.

v10 Use every opportunity to bless.

10. Living with purpose will be attacked, v17, you will be branded for Christ.

Conclusion:

So often we shy aware from self-examination and instead we analyse the circumstances of our life or people in our lives.

However if we become people who simply follow our purpose in life we will be led less by circumstance and people and driven by purpose.

Now is the time to put these principles in place. If we do, we will rise again and again over every opposition that comes our way.

Lets all sign up to be people of purpose.

 Part 1 Words for The Wise, Living the Gospel Empowered Life, Galatians 1

Part 2 Words for The Wise, Living in Purpose, Galatians 2 NIV

Part 3 Words for The Wise, The Fellowship of the Faithful, Galatians 3, English Standard Version (UK)

Part 4 Words for The Wise, From Slavery to Sonship, Our Status in Christ

Part 5 Words for The Wise, Galatians 5, The Fruits of Freedom