THE BELIEVER'S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Ephesians 2:1-13

(Part 2)

Morning Meditation 8/26/2014

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."

THEIR PRESENT

The Christian can say, "I'm not what I used to be, I'm still not what I want to be, but praise God I'm not what I'm going to be." I don't know any believer personally that can make the claim that he has reached complete maturity in this life and that there is no room left from growth. Let's notice what this text says about the present experience of the believer.

1. You hath he quickened" (vs 1). The word "quickened" translates "suzoopoieo" and means, "to make one alive together." It is definitely a word used of the

"resurrection of the body [PEARSON] (John 11:25,26 Ro 8:11)."

The words, "together with Christ--The Head being seated at God's right hand, the body also sits there with Him [CHRYSOSTOM]. We are already seated there IN Him ("in Christ Jesus," Eph 2:6), and hereafter shall be seated by Him; IN Him already as in our Head, which is the ground of our hope; by Him hereafter, as by the conferring cause, when hope shall be swallowed up in fruition [PEARSON]. What God wrought in Christ, He wrought (by the very fact) in all united to Christ, and one with Him. [PEARSON]. What God wrought in Christ, He wrought (by the very fact) in all united to Christ, and one with Him." --Strong's.

The verb "hath quickened" is in the aorist tense. There aorist tense is a point of time divorced from time and perpetuated forever. At the point we were saved, that experience of salvation was lifted out of time, and given God's quality of life that is without beginning or ending. Someone hold my mules!!!! Hallelujah!!!

2. We are made nigh (vss 13). The words "are made" translate "ginomai" and means, "to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being." It is an aorist passive indicative verb. The passive voice is where the subject is acted upon. God is the One who brought the believer into existence in the spirit-world where God lives. Man did not deserve it nor did he work any part of the process. Salvation is the work of God wherein He works the miracle of spiritual resurrection just as surely as He worked the miracle of the physical resurrection when He called Lazarus out of the grave. The word "nigh" means, " near, of place and position." The believer has access to the Throne of grace and this word pictures it near at hand. Hebrews 10:19, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"

3. We are raised together with Christ (vs 6). We share His resurrection life and power. This means that we were raised "together" with Christ. His resurrection is ours.

4. We are seated together with Him in the heavenlies. We are on the throne with Christ. That seems impossible. But it is a fact. It is what this text says. We are alive in two dimensions at the same time.

5. We are His workmanship. The word "workmanship" translates "poiema" and means, "that which has been made; of the works of God as creator." This is one of the reasons that anyone who claims the Name of Christ should live a life that would speak of a work of God. We often use the expression, "God has really done a work in that man's life."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White