Finding the new version too difficult to understand? But we rationalize them, we find excuses for them, and when our mind is able to invent a reason we act on it. If all that suddenly ceased, life would become incredibly dull and drab and dreary. As the word διαβολος is sometimes used to signify a calumniator, tale-bearer, whisperer, or backbiter; (see in the original, 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3, and Titus 2:3;); here it may have the same signification. He was touched with our misery and he came and he wept and he suffered. And yet it is a tremendous thing which has happened! But this is what calls forth God's mercy. Notice that Paul says "with Christ" three times: "We are made alive together with Christ." When he ascended up on high - The whole of this verse, as it stands in the psalm, seems to refer to a military triumph. Cunning craftiness - It is difficult to give a literal translation of the original words: εν πανουργιᾳ προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης· "By cunning, for the purpose of using the various means of deception." He reminds us that we are molded by the world around us, we are gripped by this passion for conformity, and we find it very difficult to break away from the established trend. These verbs are all in the past tense. And that is our identity from then on. I don't hesitate to say that if we don't understand this clearly we will never be able to enter into the riches that are ours in Jesus Christ. Almost all their gods and goddesses were of this character. We are not the same. But when they become a Christian that changes immediately. Amplified: But God—so rich is He in His mercy!Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (Amplified Bible - Lockman) God reaches out to them where they are, through his people. God requires that the Church shall be holy, so that it may be a proper habitation for himself; and he requires that each believer should be holy, and that he should, under the influences of his grace, arrive at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ! He who has got a talent for the edification of only one of those classes should not stay long in a place, else the whole body cannot grow up in all things under his ministry. Next week we will go on together to discover the other two steps. But the truth is that we have not learned one thing about relieving human misery and hurt. What did God do which has broken this pattern, and how does it work? It is so easy to forget the nasty little things we say, the sharp and caustic remarks we make, and the irritated attitudes we come to breakfast with. Now, as it is a very poor calling by which a man cannot live, so it is a poor religion by which a man cannot get his soul saved. Most people don't experience very much when they become Christians. Unto every one of us is given grace - Grace may here signify a particular office; as if the apostle had said: Though we are all equal in the respects already mentioned, yet we have all different offices and situations to fill up in the Church and in the world; and we receive a free gift from Christ, according to the nature of the office, that we may be able to discharge it according to his own mind. When God looks at us and sees us as guilty -- as actually having made choices and done things which were deliberately wrong when we knew them to be wrong -- it calls forth his compassion, expressed in grace. He tells us that, as a race, we are dead in a helpless, impotent condition. 4-5), raises us with Christ (v. 6a), and seats us with Him in the heavenly places (vv. See what will happen." Here his descending into the lower parts of the earth is put in opposition to his ascending far above all heavens. You love somebody when you respond to his needs. The child is ignorant, weak, and unsteady, tossed about in the nurse's arms, or whirled round in the giddy sports or mazes of youth; this seems to be the apostle's allusion. Man does not add a thing to this. But the mother doesn't know anything about it -- she doesn't feel that. Audio & Video Commentaries. Unto a perfect man - Εις ανδρα τελειον· One thoroughly instructed; the whole body of the Church being fully taught, justified, sanctified, and sealed. This is why I sometimes say to people who get discouraged with their Christian life, "Well, quit then, go back, try not to be a Christian. By the sleight of men - The words εν τη κυβειᾳ refer to the arts used by gamesters, who employ false dice that will always throw up one kind of number, which is that by which those who play with them cannot win. In the exercise of humility, which shows itself in believers, in entertaining and expressing the meanest thoughts of themselves, and the best of others; in not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing at them, and at every increase of them; in a willingness to receive instruction from the meanest saints; in submission to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of Providence; and in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God: and so to behave, is to walk agreeably to their calling of God; and what the consideration of that may engage them to, when they serve the low estate and condition out of which they are called, in which they were before calling: and that in effectual calling they have nothing but what they have received; and that others are called with the same calling that they are: and to walk humbly before God and man, is to walk according to the will of God that calls; and it is walking as Christ walked, who is meek, and lowly; and is agreeable to the blessed Spirit, one of whose fruits is meekness; and is what is very ornamental to the saints, and is well pleasing in the sight of God. Nevertheless, husbands are told to love their wives. These open the fourth verse of Ephesians 2, the chapter in which the Apostle Paul is setting forth the greatness of our salvation and is helping us to understand what has happened to us in Jesus Christ. It is not something which great saints achieve after years of effort. So these words come through to us with great meaning: "But God..." The apostle is very careful to inform us immediately of what it is that moves God to act, and he focuses on that: "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses ..." That was the condition in which we were found. That he might fill all things - That he might be the fountain whence all blessings might flow; dispensing all good things to all his creatures, according to their several capacities and necessities; and, particularly, fill both converted Jews and Gentiles with all the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit. For a full illustration of this verse, the reader is requested to refer to the notes on 1 Corinthians 12:6-10; (note), 1 Corinthians 12:28-30; (note); and to the concluding observations at the end of that chapter. Remember that later in this letter Paul likens the church to a body of which Christ is the head. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. He who has the truth of God has no need of any means to defend or propagate it, but those which love to God and man provides. Callous signifies a thickening of the outward skin of any particular part, especially on the hands and feet, by repeated exercise or use, through which such parts are rendered insensible. Anger - Οργν is more properly wrath - the passion carried to its highest pitch, accompanied with injurious words and outrageous acts, some of which are immediately specified. But, speaking the truth in love - The truth recommended by the apostle is the whole system of Gospel doctrine; this they are to teach and preach, and this is opposed to the deceit mentioned above. He said, "I am the vine, you are the branches," (John 15:5a RSV).

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