John 3:3 (AMP)
Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
Matthew 13:40-43 (AMP)
40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.
John 16:12-15 (AMP)
12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
We Are Made Alive in Christ!
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
In verse One above ‘dead’ refers to a spiritual death, a death that separates a man from God for eternity. This is a spiritual death that mankind (male and female) who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour receive on Judgement day and are thus referred to as being dead in their sinfulness!
In verse 2 Paul goes on to remind us of that this was the way we (the Church of Jesus – all born again Christians) used to live, following the ways of the world (the cravings of our sinful flesh) and thus following the ruler of the air who is Satan or the Devil as he is most commonly known as today. When we were like this, we were considered disobedient which is what those who haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in today’s world and in the days to come are still considered as being by God!
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
In verse 3, Paul is reminding us that we once lived as ‘wordly’ people, people who live only for themselves and to please the cravings their sinful nature and were thus deserving of God’s wrath which is eternal damnation.
1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
For mankind following the ways of the world leads to eternal damnation, but for the born again Christian, the one who has Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, that does the will of God, we receive eternal life.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
In verses 4 and 5, Paul reminds us that because of God’s great love and mercy we (as born again Christians) are made alive in Christ and will receive eternal life. We are saved by God’s grace and not by anything we have done, but it is what Jesus did for us, he suffered and died for us so that we (those of us that are born again) do not have to face God’s wrath on Judgement Day!
Psalm 103:8 (NLT)
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
In verses 6 and 7 we are told that because we are born again in Christ Jesus, spiritually we are seated with Him in the heavenly realms so that we can experience the richness of God’s grace in the coming (eternal) ages! This is why Jesus and Paul tell us that we are in the world but not of the world!
John 17:16 (NIV)
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Romans 12:2 (AMP)
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2023/04/unpacking-ephesians-chapter-1.html
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
In verses 8 and 9, Paul reinforces the fact that we are saved by God’s grace alone in Christ Jesus and not by anything that we have done or achieved outside of Christ! The only one that we can boast in is not ourselves but in Christ Jesus alone. It is only in Christ and in the power of His Holy Spirit that we can do the things that God has called us to do. This is walking in faith in Jesus and without faith it is impossible to please God!
Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Every human being, past and present, is the work of God’s hands, He created as and breathed life into us! He created mankind in His image whether you like to believe this or not. But because of man’s fallen (sinful) state we can only be reconciled with God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and turning away from (repenting) our sinful lives. Anything we do, good or bad, outside of our being born again (outside of Christ), is worthless and counts for nothing in God’s eyes. God considers the good works that mankind does outside of Jesus as nothing but filthy rags!
Genesis 1:27 (NIV)
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:7 (AMP)
then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].
Isaiah 64:6 (NLT)
We are all infected and impure with sin.
When we display our righteous deeds,
they are nothing but filthy rags.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,
and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
In verses 11-13 above Paul reminds us that those of us who are not Jewish by birth were not part of God’s Old Testament covenants of promise as Israel is, but we were without God and thus without the hope of a spiritual future with God in eternity. But now, when we become born again in Christ Jesus, we become citizens in the Kingdom of God and receive eternal life and not eternal damnation as anyone who is not born again is. We are not physically circumcised as the Jews are, but we are spiritually circumcised in the heart by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus and now become God’s children! For us, as born again Christians, it is a matter of the heart being changed by the Holy Spirit once we repented of our old sinful ways and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour! It is the blood of Jesus that reconciles us with God!
Romans 2:29 (NLT)
No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
In verse 14 above Paul tells us that through His death on the cross, Jesus has made the Jews and the Gentiles who have accepted His s Lord and Saviour one group – His Church. There is now no difference between Jew and Gentile because we are in Christ Jesus – He is our Lord and Saviour! We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-29 (AMP)
26 For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. 28 There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. 29 And if you belong to Christ [if you are in Him], then you are Abraham’s descendants, and [spiritual] heirs according to [God’s] promise.
15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 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 access to the Father by one Spirit.
In verses 15-18 above we learn that Jesus set aside that dividing wall between Jew and Gentile by fulfilling the law in every way. No sin was found in him! The purpose of this act was to create His Church of born again believers no matter who you are or what nationality you come from.
Thus, as brothers and sister in Christ, the born again Church becomes one body and by His death on the cross for our sins, we are reconciled to God. Through this act of selfless love (He died for each one of us) we all have access to the Father by one Spirit – the Holy Spirit! We therefore receive His peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding!
1 John 3:4-6 (AMP)
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will]. 5 You know that He appeared [in visible form as a man] in order to take away sins; and in Him there is [absolutely] no sin [for He has neither the sin nature nor has He committed sin or acts worthy of blame]. 6 No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him—deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him.
John 14:25-27 (NIV)
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all things so receive the peace of Jesus so that we do not have to be troubled and stressed about anything that happens to us in this world. We are overcomers of the world in Christ Jesus and Jesus is the Prince of Peace!
1 John 5:3-4 (AMP)
3 For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. 4 For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
In verse 19 above we are told that because every born again Christian has given his life to Jesus to be his Lord and Saviour, we all (whether Jew or Gentile) now become citizens in God’s Kingdom and members of His household. We have the right to call ourselves children of God!
John 1:12-13 (NIV)
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
1 John 3:1 (NIV)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
In verse 20 Paul explains that God’s household (the Church) is built on the foundations laid by the teachings and prophecies of the apostles and the Old Testament prophets. This foundation on which the Church is built has Jesus Christ as it’s cornerstone, the foundation stone that holds everything together and is immovable and unshakeable! Christ reigns supreme over all things in heaven and on earth!
Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
It is only in Christ Jesus that the Church (every born again Christian) is joined together as one and will reach the unity of the Spirit. The Church in Christ Jesus is His Holy Temple. The Church has many parts, you and I included, but it is one body – the body of Christ Jesus. And we are to function as one in the unity of the Holy Spirit who lives within us!
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (AMP)
12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].
Colossians 1:17 (AMP)
And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.]
Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Each and every believer in Christ Jesus becomes a temple in which God lives by His Spirit. We, the Church, individually and collectively are God’s Holy Temple!
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
So now, my Dear Readers, in closing off this article, let us consider how we as His Church, need to love each other and work together in the unity of the Spirit. There is only one Church, we are many congregations across the world, but there is only on Church the Church of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. There is only one faith and that is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. There can be no division in His Church! It is Jesus that holds all things together – He is the fulness of the Godhead in bodily form and he has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus – one Saviour, one Lord and one God! Do everything in the love of God!
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father I pray in the name of Jesus that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and with a hunger and thirst to read and study your Word more and more. I pray that my life in the power of the Holy Spirit would bring glory, honour and praise to the name of Jesus. Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!
