I know Why I am Saved

[Vine Abider]

I read this (below) in a devotional today and was struck by its clear message - we are saved to be in the ekklesia, the body of Christ!  While I know this, I do enjoy the reminder that the life of Christ He's installed in us is not meant to be alone, by any means!  God eternal has a purpose, and the book of Ephesians is one place this is really brought out.  We are "being built together a dwelling place of God in Spirit" and through the church "the manifold wisdom of God" might be manifested to all!  (Eph 2:22 & 3:10)

I Know Why

"According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 3:11

Step by step, Paul moves forward to define the eternal purpose of God. First, he mentions the mystery hidden in God; second, he links it with the purpose of creation; and finally, he specifically tells what the purpose is:  "To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10-11).

The vision Paul opens up consists of God's eternal purpose, which He executed in His Son and which is now being worked out in and through the church. This purpose revolves around the church. The church, as the Body of Christ exhibiting and displaying God's manifold wisdom, is the governing vision that Paul and the apostles were under. Concerning the church, Paul could testify, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). To have this governing vision means that my Christian life is not wasted. I am not aimlessly going on. I know why I am saved. I know why I am filled with the Spirit and growing in the Lord. I am saved and growing in the Lord for the purpose of being in the church, which displays the unsearchable riches of Christ and manifests the wisdom of God. The meaning of life centers in living the kind of church life that expresses God to the universe. This is the major thing on God's heart. This is the heavenly vision that directed and controlled Paul, and that he sought to open up to others.

If God would light up neon signs in the universe to declare what is the major thing on His heart, those signs would tell us that His Son is producing and building His church for the display of His manifold wisdom. Thus, my life should be under this kind of vision that sees the major things on God's heart. This is what vision means in the New Testament. It is something more than a charismatic experience. It is more than my own personal experience of the Lord's leading and guiding. It is more than the Lord showing me something new in my life. As wonderful as these things are, the highest vision and revelation for every believer is to see what is on God's heart and to know that our lives are counting on this earth for that. Our daily life is intended by God to be the testimony of Jesus--the builded church. This is the major thing on His heart.

Wow - isn't that good!?! 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling; what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints!"

Ephesians 1:18

 

[Sower]

58 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Our daily life is intended by God to be the testimony of Jesus--the builded church. This is the major thing on His heart.

That is why some here are often defending the body of Christ, the church. (not the building)
The church is not perfect, nor made up of perfect people.  Yet.
But made up of true believers in Christ, each a part, even if we are sitting in the wrong building.
But together, we are the body of Christ..

Together.  A beautiful word.

 

[AdHoc]

5 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

I read this (below) in a devotional today and was struck by its clear message - we are saved to be in the ekklesia, the body of Christ!  While I know this, I do enjoy the reminder that the life of Christ He's installed in us is not meant to be alone, by any means!  God eternal has a purpose, and the book of Ephesians is one place this is really brought out.  We are "being built together a dwelling place of God in Spirit" and through the church "the manifold wisdom of God" might be manifested to all!  (Eph 2:22 & 3:10)

I Know Why

"According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 3:11

Step by step, Paul moves forward to define the eternal purpose of God. First, he mentions the mystery hidden in God; second, he links it with the purpose of creation; and finally, he specifically tells what the purpose is:  "To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10-11).

The vision Paul opens up consists of God's eternal purpose, which He executed in His Son and which is now being worked out in and through the church. This purpose revolves around the church. The church, as the Body of Christ exhibiting and displaying God's manifold wisdom, is the governing vision that Paul and the apostles were under. Concerning the church, Paul could testify, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19). To have this governing vision means that my Christian life is not wasted. I am not aimlessly going on. I know why I am saved. I know why I am filled with the Spirit and growing in the Lord. I am saved and growing in the Lord for the purpose of being in the church, which displays the unsearchable riches of Christ and manifests the wisdom of God. The meaning of life centers in living the kind of church life that expresses God to the universe. This is the major thing on God's heart. This is the heavenly vision that directed and controlled Paul, and that he sought to open up to others.

If God would light up neon signs in the universe to declare what is the major thing on His heart, those signs would tell us that His Son is producing and building His church for the display of His manifold wisdom. Thus, my life should be under this kind of vision that sees the major things on God's heart. This is what vision means in the New Testament. It is something more than a charismatic experience. It is more than my own personal experience of the Lord's leading and guiding. It is more than the Lord showing me something new in my life. As wonderful as these things are, the highest vision and revelation for every believer is to see what is on God's heart and to know that our lives are counting on this earth for that. Our daily life is intended by God to be the testimony of Jesus--the builded church. This is the major thing on His heart.

Wow - isn't that good!?! 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling; what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints!"

Ephesians 1:18

 

I sometimes write in superlatives. They are meant. What God has done in Creation is superlative. What God has done in redemption is even higher. Higher yet is His Kingdom. And above that is His BODY. All God's plans are tied up with the Church. The thing that made our Lord Jesus the most superlative Man ever was His birth - HIS ORIGIN. His incarnation by the Holy Spirit made him the most perfect and effective man ever to live. And it is the ORIGIN of the Church that makes it so much highre than anything else created. The New Birth by which is the New Man is by the Holy Spirit (Jn.3:6).

At the top of the heap among men, by our Lord's own confession, is John Baptist - the greatest born to a woman. What an accolade by Jesus. But in it a world of sadness. There is a birth that slots John into the list very low. 

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Mt 11:11)

"The least in the KINGDOM! Why is he/she greater than John?" Because he is BORN OF GOD. Paul, in Romans 9:3 is close to tears. "His "brethren" Israel are languishing in unbelief. He is desirous of swapping positions with them. But alas! What is the divide between them? Is not Israel God's favorite Nation? Does God not bless the tents of Jacob in the face of Baalim's curse? Did not God put His name and His House in Israel? Does this not count for something? YES! Much every way! Israel is favored and loved as Song of Solomon shows. But the divide between Israel and the Church is incomprehensibly big - for Paul says that Israel is "my brethren ACCORDING to the FLESH!". Their birth is COMMON - by a woman. But the lest of the Church is "brethren according to the Holy Spirit!".

In the Millennium God finds a House for Emmanuel. Jesus Emmanuel will dwell WITH Israel. Israel will be the servants of this vast House. Nations will flock to Jerusalem and to this House. Israel will be famous and bask in Terrestrial glory. Levi under Zadok will serve this House. David will be deputy king (Jer.30:9). the Greater Solomon will sit on David's throne. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that the Lord is Jesus. What glory and pomp. BUT ...

There is an entity MUCH greater - the Church. They are not great because of anything they do or did. They have no mighty fighting men like Israel. God has used the base things to build it (1st Cor.1:26-29). But it shall shine in CELESTIAL glory. Why? Because it did not proceed from the womb. Its ORIGIN is the Holy Spirit. It comes not from the side of Eve, but the side of the divine One - Jesus. It did not partake of corruptible seed, but incorruptible (1st pet.1.23). the New Birth made them "sons of God". God lives WITH Israel after His return. But God already live IN US - the Church.

Here's verse you hardly ever hear;

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph 3:21)

The Church, not Israel, is destined "through ALL ages" to be the vehicle of Christ's glory

[Alive]

3 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

I sometimes write in superlatives. They are meant. What God has done in Creation is superlative. What God has done in redemption is even higher. Higher yet is His Kingdom. And above that is His BODY. All God's plans are tied up with the Church. The thing that made our Lord Jesus the most superlative Man ever was His birth - HIS ORIGIN. His incarnation by the Holy Spirit made him the most perfect and effective man ever to live. And it is the ORIGIN of the Church that makes it so much highre than anything else created. The New Birth by which is the New Man is by the Holy Spirit (Jn.3:6).

At the top of the heap among men, by our Lord's own confession, is John Baptist - the greatest born to a woman. What an accolade by Jesus. But in it a world of sadness. There is a birth that slots John into the list very low. 

11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Mt 11:11)

"The least in the KINGDOM! Why is he/she greater than John?" Because he is BORN OF GOD. Paul, in Romans 9:3 is close to tears. "His "brethren" Israel are languishing in unbelief. He is desirous of swapping positions with them. But alas! What is the divide between them? Is not Israel God's favorite Nation? Does God not bless the tents of Jacob in the face of Baalim's curse? Did not God put His name and His House in Israel? Does this not count for something? YES! Much every way! Israel is favored and loved as Song of Solomon shows. But the divide between Israel and the Church is incomprehensibly big - for Paul says that Israel is "my brethren ACCORDING to the FLESH!". Their birth is COMMON - by a woman. But the lest of the Church is "brethren according to the Holy Spirit!".

In the Millennium God finds a House for Emmanuel. Jesus Emmanuel will dwell WITH Israel. Israel will be the servants of this vast House. Nations will flock to Jerusalem and to this House. Israel will be famous and bask in Terrestrial glory. Levi under Zadok will serve this House. David will be deputy king (Jer.30:9). the Greater Solomon will sit on David's throne. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that the Lord is Jesus. What glory and pomp. BUT ...

There is an entity MUCH greater - the Church. They are not great because of anything they do or did. They have no mighty fighting men like Israel. God has used the base things to build it (1st Cor.1:26-29). But it shall shine in CELESTIAL glory. Why? Because it did not proceed from the womb. Its ORIGIN is the Holy Spirit. It comes not from the side of Eve, but the side of the divine One - Jesus. It did not partake of corruptible seed, but incorruptible (1st pet.1.23). the New Birth made them "sons of God". God lives WITH Israel after His return. But God already live IN US - the Church.

Here's verse you hardly ever hear;

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph 3:21)

The Church, not Israel, is destined "through ALL ages" to be the vehicle of Christ's glory

You nailed it when you spoke of origin. Its all about ontology. Everything is. Its a very simple concept and expressed thoroughly in all of Creation. Kind…being and what animates any creature. The key is understanding how that word ‘spirit’ is used from chapter 1 onward.

Salvation is Relocation and the real result. God chooses and God does. Creatures are His Clay until He Acts to Change.

[Marilyn C]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

 

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling; what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints!"

Ephesians 1:18

 

The `hope of His calling `- `that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection......I press towards the goal for the prize of the on top calling of God in Christ Jesus...`  (Phil. 3: 10 & 14)

`If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ who is our life appears then you will also appear with Him in glory.` (Col. 3: 1 - 4)

[Neighbor]

14 hours ago, AdHoc said:

The Church, not Israel, is destined "through ALL ages" to be the vehicle of Christ's glory

Really? Hmm interesting, I had thought Jesus was a Jew, the Jew's Jew in fact. He spoke to Jews, participated in all that is of the Jew, and taught Jews.

Through Paul the Holy Spirit has revealed that the  Jew is one of the heart and not of/by (physical) circumcision, and that in Christ there is no Jew nor Gentile. The church, is his, by his creation, the result and not the vehicle of anything.

Evidently the greatest revival of turning about to Jesus will be by the called upon by the Holy Spirit effort to be undertaken by Jews, a 144,000 of them. I don't think I'll be dismissing Israel, nor the Jew, from God's will. 

What has the church to do with creating  or driving Christ's glory? Has it not been been declared that God is capable of making even the stones cry out  of Jesus' Glory? Whether literally or not the effect of such a concept  is the same.

Seems to me that God is not dependent upon man for His glory, neither Jew nor Gentile nor Christian. The so called "chosen vehicle" or method seems ( to me) not to be chosen by even the Son, but is by the Son doing his Father's will.

If there is a "vehicle", it might be the Holy Spirit that is the "driver".

[AdHoc]

2 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Really? Hmm interesting, I had thought Jesus was a Jew, the Jew's Jew in fact. He spoke to Jews, participated in all that is of the Jew, and taught Jews.

Through Paul the Holy Spirit has revealed that the  Jew is one of the heart and not of/by (physical) circumcision, and that in Christ there is no Jew nor Gentile. The church, is his, by his creation, the result and not the vehicle of anything.

Evidently the greatest revival of turning about to Jesus will be by the called upon by the Holy Spirit effort to be undertaken by Jews, a 144,000 of them. I don't think I'll be dismissing Israel, nor the Jew, from God's will. 

What has the church to do with creating  or driving Christ's glory? Has it not been been declared that God is capable of making even the stones cry out  of Jesus' Glory? Whether literally or not the effect of such a concept  is the same.

Seems to me that God is not dependent upon man for His glory, neither Jew nor Gentile nor Christian. The so called "chosen vehicle" or method seems ( to me) not to be chosen by even the Son, but is by the Son doing his Father's will.

If there is a "vehicle", it might be the Holy Spirit that is the "driver".

Thank you for the response. That you disagree is noted. I cannot comment as you have neither built a case nor given scripture for one single point. However, I will comment with scripture.

That Jesus is a Jew was not contested. But our Lord, when told that His flesh family wanted His presence, Jesus denied them.

 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Mt 12:47–50)

Your second point contains a fatal error. Israel is not IN Christ. He is their King but they are not in Him.

Your third point is probably from Revelation 7:1-8, 9:4 and 12:17. The word, or concept of a revival is never mentioned. A Remnant of Israel are sealed so that the mechanisms of the Great Tribulation do not hurt them (9:4). This remnant, predicted in Romans 9 and 11 fulfill Deuteronomy 30:1-5 (they keep the commandments of God - not Christ - 12:17). Much more, concerning their state, Romans 11 says

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. ... 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Whichever way you understand "the fullness of the Gentiles", Israel ALL remain blind and in unbelief. "All", as you affirm, means "ALL" by the Holy Spirit.

Your fourth point is easily answered in Ephesians 3:20-21 as ell as 2nd Corinthians 8:19-23. But should one be overly zealous for Israel, let us see if their history or future is shows the glory of Christ. Israel served idols in Egypt. Israel served idols 40 years in the wilderness. Israel fell in unbelief in the wilderness. Israel did not completely destroy God's enemies. Israel served idols in their Good Land.Israel broke God's Law and were carried away by foreign kings. The northern Tribes are still in dispersion some 2,700 years later. 2.5% of Judah returned and their offspring rejected and murdered their Messiah. They have been dispersed for nigh on 2,000 years. Israel will embrace the Beast. Israel will rejoice when the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 are killed. Israel will be forgiven - a display of Christ's glory.

Your fifth point is correct. God will have to awake stones to give Him the glory because Israel refuses

Your sixth point has difficulty making sense. The Oxford dictionary gives two meanings of a "Vehicle"

1. a thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land

2. a thing used to express, embody, or fulfil something.

I apologize if the context did not show that point #2 was meant. "Driver" then becomes moot.

Suffice to say that 2nd Corinthians is addressed to Christians at the CHURCH at Corinth. It is the CHURCH that, in 3:18, is transformed from Glory to glory as by the Spirit ofthe Lord, while the rest of the Chapter 3 shows Israel still VEILED.

Brother, Israel has its place in God's plan. Israel will be restored and be the central Nation during the Millennium. Emmanuel will dwell in Jerusalem. Nations will flow into Israel. But it is the Church, taken OUT OF Israel, and OUT OF the Nations, that has the nature of God (2nd Pet.1:4) and is predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom.8:29)

[Mr. M]

On 7/14/2023 at 9:36 AM, Vine Abider said:

"According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 3:11

Here is how he introduces his theme, of what we should be...(highlights)

Ephesians 1:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

A further elaboration of the prophetic word made by Zachariah,

having been filled with the Holy Spirit,

Luke 1:

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies

might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

[Vine Abider]

7 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Here is how he introduces his theme, of what we should be...(highlights)

Ephesians 1:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

A further elaboration of the prophetic word made by Zachariah,

having been filled with the Holy Spirit,

Luke 1:

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies

might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

Yes - thanks for sharing!  And do you see that He purposed us to be a corporate body, a dwelling place of God, as per Ephesians?

[Mr. M]

18 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Yes - thanks for sharing!  And do you see that He purposed us to be a corporate body, a dwelling place of God, as per Ephesians?

Always! No other way to interpret "In Christ"!