The Daily Word of Righteousness

Three Works of Grace, #21

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:20-22)

The eternal House of God is built on the foundation laid by the Christian Apostles and the Hebrew Prophets. God's elect are one in Christ, one olive tree, one new Jerusalem.

Does the Scripture teach this?

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Could any competent scholar deny that Paul is speaking here of the one new Man?—the Jew in Christ and the Gentile in Christ? Therefore Dispensationalism, with its Gentile Bride and Jewish Kingdom, is demonstrated to be a major source of confusion in Christian thinking.

Turning to the third chapter of Ephesians, we note the process of creating the eternal House God, the manner in which it will be brought to the Divine standard, which is the fullness of the stature of Christ.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14)

Paul is praying here for the family of God, for those who have received the atonement and have been partakers of the Spirit of God.

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15)

God's family is His elect, that is, the Jews and Gentiles whom He has called in Christ.

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (Ephesians 3:16)

We see from the above that it is the Holy Spirit who strengthens us in our inner spiritual nature in preparation for our entering the fullness of God.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (Ephesians 3:17)

The entire process, from the time we first receive the blood atonement until we stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, depends on our faith. We must believe God can and will transform our personality.

The goal of redemption is marvelous beyond our comprehension. If it were left to our ability to accomplish we would come ridiculously short of the mark. But the source of our perfection is the riches of God's Glory. Because of this we know we shall arrive at all God has promised. Let us never stagger at the promise of God but press forward in faith and stern obedience until we enter the rest of God.

The love of Christ spoken of here cannot be described. It is far, far above human love. Those who have experienced Christ's love for Israel, or for a nation, or for a person, know how different Divine love is from human love. Divine love will never fail, but human love is self-serving and will turn quickly into hate when it is frustrated.

To be continued.