But God being rich in mercy ... (Part 3)
Ephesians 2: 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Men do evil things because men by nature are evil. Even what good we do - we do for our own misguided purposes. This section of scripture carries on the thought that spiritually dead men cannot save them selves.
This is written to believers. I think this is an important thought to keep in mind. The idea no the truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is never something taught to the lost but rather to the believer. So that when we look back on our state we can give all glory to God. Not thinking there was something good in us or better than someone else. It all depends upon God’s mercy.
We did not enter this world with a pure nature. Paul makes it clear that the redeemed once lived among the heathen of this world. We followed hard after this world. We worked hard at sinning. Feeding our passions yet unfulfilled. Sin driving us on to consume more and more of this world's pleasures.
Jeremiah 9:5 "Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.
It is our native language “sin”. This is the natural man. Paul says we are by nature (just who we are) children of wrath. This is who we are without Christ.
There is nothing in us to make us commendable to God. We cannot remove the blot of sin, nor change our rebellious nature. It is something that must be wrought by God. Man is very religious – but he is more interested in a god of his own making. One that will approve or somehow ignore his sin. We are but slaves to sin – free from righteousness. This is the freewill we exercise. A will that shakes its fist at a holy Lord.
We do not want God’s grace or mercy in our flesh. We simply want to be left alone
It takes a miracle to change the desperately wicked heart of man. It took one in my life. Where men think they rule God will overrule? This is the truth of man’s condition. Dead. Hopeless. Headed for Hell. A child of satan.
All you can do in this state is to cry out to the Lord for mercy.
What is the message your church preach? What message is it that you preach? Is it a message to try and reason people into the kingdom of God? Is it a message of just needing to change directions to get a better life? Then that is not the true gospel.
We must preach the holiness of God and the sinfulness and utter helplessness of man. If a person is saved knowing he deserves hell and can never save himself. That he must trust only in the finished work of Christ, then his confidence will rest in the work of God and nothing else.
I fear many today trust in an isle they walk, a prayer, a preacher, a song or a feeling. We can only find true salvation in Christ not in any work of our own
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
sherman
Next time I will finish this series off with verse 4.
Ephesians 2: 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Men do evil things because men by nature are evil. Even what good we do - we do for our own misguided purposes. This section of scripture carries on the thought that spiritually dead men cannot save them selves.
This is written to believers. I think this is an important thought to keep in mind. The idea no the truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is never something taught to the lost but rather to the believer. So that when we look back on our state we can give all glory to God. Not thinking there was something good in us or better than someone else. It all depends upon God’s mercy.
We did not enter this world with a pure nature. Paul makes it clear that the redeemed once lived among the heathen of this world. We followed hard after this world. We worked hard at sinning. Feeding our passions yet unfulfilled. Sin driving us on to consume more and more of this world's pleasures.
Jeremiah 9:5 "Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.
It is our native language “sin”. This is the natural man. Paul says we are by nature (just who we are) children of wrath. This is who we are without Christ.
There is nothing in us to make us commendable to God. We cannot remove the blot of sin, nor change our rebellious nature. It is something that must be wrought by God. Man is very religious – but he is more interested in a god of his own making. One that will approve or somehow ignore his sin. We are but slaves to sin – free from righteousness. This is the freewill we exercise. A will that shakes its fist at a holy Lord.
We do not want God’s grace or mercy in our flesh. We simply want to be left alone
It takes a miracle to change the desperately wicked heart of man. It took one in my life. Where men think they rule God will overrule? This is the truth of man’s condition. Dead. Hopeless. Headed for Hell. A child of satan.
All you can do in this state is to cry out to the Lord for mercy.
What is the message your church preach? What message is it that you preach? Is it a message to try and reason people into the kingdom of God? Is it a message of just needing to change directions to get a better life? Then that is not the true gospel.
We must preach the holiness of God and the sinfulness and utter helplessness of man. If a person is saved knowing he deserves hell and can never save himself. That he must trust only in the finished work of Christ, then his confidence will rest in the work of God and nothing else.
I fear many today trust in an isle they walk, a prayer, a preacher, a song or a feeling. We can only find true salvation in Christ not in any work of our own
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
sherman
Next time I will finish this series off with verse 4.
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