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Ephesians 2:18-22 (KJV)For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; 21 In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

I was at my doctor’s office this past Wednesday, and while I was waiting (and waiting) I was “redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16) by reading a good book. The book I’m currently reading is Thomas Watson’s “The Doctrine of Repentance”. Watson was a Puritan Pastor (1620-1686) who rejected the teachings of the Church of England, a spin off of the Catholic Church. He was persecuted as a “non-conformist” because he would not follow the state endorsed churches. Watson died at 66 years old, suddenly, while in his prayer closet with the Lord. The man loved Jesus! In talking about repentance, Watson wrote:

“Before a man can come to Christ, he must first come to himself. … where we cannot see our own sin, there can be no repentance. … Would it not be strange if two people lived together, and ate and drank together, yet did not know each other? But this is how it is with a sinner; his body and soul live together and work together, but still he does not know himself. He does not know his own heart, nor what a hell he carries within him. {Listen to this} People are veiled over with ignorance and self love; they do not see what deformed souls they have. The devil does with them what the falconer does with the hawk. He blindfolds them so they cannot see he is carrying them to hell…”

I like that statement about the sinner, whose “body and soul live together and work together, but still he does not know himself”. I really believe that the reason for the confusion in our country today (transgenderism, choose your pronouns, people trying to be animals or furries, boys in girls sports) is because people are desperately seeking identity, seeking who they are. Beloved,

You will never discover WHO you are until you discover the ONE WHO created you.

It is my prayer today that God give as many as are under the sound of my voice the gift of repentance. When the Apostle Peter was telling the Jewish Church how the Gentiles were being saved through the Gospel of Christ, the Church leaders praised God, saying,

Acts 11:18 (ESV) Then to the Gentiles also GOD HAS GRANTED REPENTANCE that leads to life.

It is God Who gives REPENTANCE, Who must open the eyes of the lost. When Peter and the Apostles were told to NOT preach Christ, they said:

Acts 5:29-32 (NKJV) We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up JESUS whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand [to be] Prince and Savior, TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and [so] also [is] the Holy Spirit WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIM.

As we can see from our Acts passage, the TRINITY OF GOD is involved in salvation. God the Father raised up the Lord Jesus from the grave. The Father exalted Jesus to be both PRINCE AND SAVIOR – Jesus is LORD and Jesus is SAVIOR. God gives REPENTANCE, and then FORGIVENESS OF SINS, along with THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD … but only to “THOSE WHO OBEY HIM”.

Beloved, you are given a choice once God grants repentance to either call on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved and to live in Him … or NOT. You do not save yourself, but you must answer the call.

Ephesians 2:18 (KJV)For THROUGH HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Jesus Christ Is The AUTHOR and
Finisher Of Salvation

You cannot write your name in God’s Book, in the Book of Life. You need to understand that – apart from the Lord Jesus Christ – you are absolutely and resolutely condemned before God. Your so called “Good Works” count for nothing without Jesus. The Bible is very clear and concise on this. We are told in:

Romans 3:10, 23 (NKJV) As it is written: “There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; … 23 for ALL have sinned and FALL SHORT of the glory of God,

The Bible speaks of a Great White Throne, a terrifying time when those who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ will stand before God. John the Revelator said:

Revelation 20:12, 15 (NKJV) And I saw THE DEAD, small and great, STANDING BEFORE GOD, and BOOKS were opened. And ANOTHER BOOK was opened, which is THE BOOK OF LIFE. And THE DEAD WERE JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, by the things which were written in the books. … 15 And ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire.

The person who stands before God in the coming judgment is relying on their “good” works, the religious things they did in this life. But their works are no good. They may have been sincere. They may have tried with all their might. But these people without Christ are “THE DEAD”. Dead things are standing before the Living God (Deuteronomy 5:26; 1 Samuel 17:26; Psalm 42:2; 84:2; Romans 9:26). They should have come to God. What does our text tell us?

Ephesians 2:18 (KJV) For THROUGH HIM we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

“THROUGH HIM”, through Christ Jesus we have access to the Father. The Bible says that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. The Bible says that Christ’s primary mission was to save sinners. Jesus clearly said, “the Son of Man has come to SEEK AND SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST” (Luke 19:10). Jesus clearly said “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The Bible says that “we look UNTO JESUS, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). And yet people hear the Gospel is to believe on, to receive Christ as Lord and Savior, and yet persist in believing “oh, I’m as good as anyone. If I die, surely I’ll go to Heaven”. No, this is a lie from Satan, a lie from your pride.

At the Great White Throne “THE DEAD” will have their works judged, and they are all insufficient. We are told “ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

We are not the Authors of our salvation. Jesus Christ is THE AUTHOR and FINISHER of our salvation. You must repent, and come to Him with empty hands and willing hearts.

Pastor and Author Warren Wiersbe said it so clearly. He said:

“The unbeliever is not sick; he is dead! He does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection. All lost sinners are dead, and the only difference between one sinner and another is the state of decay. The lost derelict on skid row may be more decayed outwardly than the unsaved society leader, but both are dead in sin—and one corpse cannot be more dead than another! This means that our world is one vast graveyard, filled with people who are dead while they live.”

Dr. Robert Lightner of Dallas Theological Seminary wrote:

“God is the only one who could solve the problem which man’s sin presented to Him. After man’s fall God the Father began in time the plan of salvation which He devised before time began. This divine plan centered in his divine Son: “He gave His only begotten Son” because He “so loved the world” (John 3:16). “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only-begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).”

Jesus Christ is the Author of salvation. The Father sent Him from glory to this earth to open the door of Heaven for us. A favorite text of many is:

John 3:16-17 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

God wants no one wandering through this life confused. He made you on purpose. You are not an accident, and not inconsequential. You are made in His image to do more than just exist and then die. It is “THROUGH JESUS we have access by one Spirit UNTO THE FATHER”. The Father cannot do anything about your life if you do not receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Do you want to please God? Do you want to have a wonderful life, the life God wants for you? Then DO the work of God!

John 6:29 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Jesus is not just the AUTHOR of salvation, but He is the FINISHER. He gave everything He had to save you. What does He want from you? REPENT. Give Him YOUR LIFE. He gave His life for you, for me, for everyone. The Scripture says:

Romans 5:6-10 (NKJV) For when we were still without strength, in due time CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. … 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM. 10 For if when we were enemies we were RECONCILED TO GOD {THE FATHER} THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, having been reconciled, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE.

It is only “THROUGH CHRIST” that we have access to the Father. It is not through your “good” works, nor your sincerity – but only through Jesus.

Christ Is The Author, The Holy Spirit
The ACHIEVER Of Salvation

Ephesians 2:18 (KJV)For through Him we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.

Those who stand before the Great White Throne are called “THE DEAD”. They are, one and all, spiritually dead. They are people in whom the Holy Spirit has not worked.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath QUICKENED US TOGETHER with Christ, (BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED;) 6 And HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and made US sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

The Holy Spirit changes the status of those who come to Christ. Without the Spirit, you are “THE DEAD”. You are destined to end up at a Great White Throne, and will be cast into a LAKE OF FIRE where you will NEVER ESCAPE. Dead things go into that terrible lake. But once you REPENT and RECEIVE the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, the Father sends the Holy Spirit to your life.

Ephesians 2:18-19 (KJV)For through Christ we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are NO MORE STRANGERS AND FOREIGNERS, but FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS, and OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD;

Before salvation you are a “STRANGER” to God. God knows you, but as a dead thing. You are alive in His world, but do not know Him nor consider Him as a matter of fact. You are “FOREIGNERS”. You do not speak the language of God, nor seek to understand His ways. You are a stranger in a strange land, and God seems far from you. Here’s a mark that you’re lost:

If you think life is “all about me”, and you think nothing of God in your daily lives, you are “DEAD”, strangers and foreigners to God.

Psalm 10:4 (ESV) In the PRIDE of his face the wicked does not seek {God}; all his thoughts are, “THERE IS NO GOD”.

Those without Christ may seem religious and sincere, but they care nothing for God. Their faith is surface, much like the Pharisees of whom Jesus said:

Matthew 23:27-28 (LSB) … For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are FULL OF DEAD MEN’S BONES and all uncleanness. 28 In this way, you also OUTWARDLY appear righteous to men, but INWARDLY you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Hell will be filled with religious people. Hell will be filled with sincere people. Hell will be filled with “good” people. Hell will be filled with those without Christ, without the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. When you receive the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes you to be …

FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS

That word “CITIZEN” should be easy enough to understand. A citizen to God is someone who LIVES IN CHRIST’S KINGDOM not just THEN, but NOW. The Bible says:

Colossians 1:13 (LSB) {God} rescued us from the authority of darkness, and transferred us TO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON of His love

We do not belong to this present fallen world, but to His Kingdom. We are citizens first and foremost to the Kingdom of Christ. When the Apostle Paul was going to be beaten by the Romans, he appealed to his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37; 21:39). The Roman authorities immediately back away from whipping him – citizens have rights! We who have believed on Jesus are a part of His Kingdom, and HE IS OUR LORD. We follow Him. Jesus said,

John 14:15 (ESV) If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 15:10 (ESV) If you keep my commandments, YOU WILL ABIDE IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

The Holy Spirit brings you into the Kingdom of Christ. But the Holy Spirit also does something else. When you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Spirit brings you into …

THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD

You are adopted by God the Spirit, brought into God’s family. You are not just citizens, but God makes you more than His creation. He makes you HIS CHILDREN. The Bible tells the believer in Christ:

Romans 8:14-17 (ESV) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION AS SONS, by {the Holy Spirit} WE CRY, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, 17 and if children, then heirs—HEIRS OF GOD and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Galatians 4:4-7 (LSB) But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION AS SONS. 6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore YOU ARE NO LONGER A SLAVE, BUT A SON; and if a son, then an heir through God.

Before you received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you were slaves to sin, servants of the darkness. But now, because of Jesus, because of the Holy Spirit, your salvation has been achieved and will keep on being achieved. If you are saved, you are a product of God’s hand. If that is true then I can say with the Apostle:

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) being confident of this very thing, that HE WHO HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL COMPLETE IT until the day of Jesus Christ;

The God Who made all things will finish what He has started in the Christ follower.

God The Father Is The ARCHITECT Of Our Faith

Ephesians 2:20-22 (KJV)And are BUILT upon the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; 21 In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

What is God the Father doing? Were we who are saved just saved so we can go to Heaven? Were we saved just so that God can keep us out of the Lake of Fire? No!

If you are saved, you are saved into His Kingdom. If you are saved, you are saved together with others to be a HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD.

God the Father is the Architect, the Planner of our salvation. He did not save us without purpose. Before there was an Israel, man worshiped God at singular, man made altars. After God called Abraham to salvation, ABRAHAM BUILT an altar and worshiped God (Genesis 12:7-8). When Abraham’s son Isaac gave himself to Jesus, ISAAC BUILT an altar (Genesis 26:25) and worshiped God. When Isaac’s son JACOB went into the land of Promise, JACOB BUILT an altar (Genesis 35:7) in the place where he saw the Lord. When Jacob’s family grew into Israel the nation, God had ISRAEL BUILD a Tabernacle, a Tent to worship Him in (Exodus 25:9). It was planned out by God the Father, but built by man. Much later King David’s son King Solomon was allowed TO BUILD A TEMPLE to worship God in (1 Kings 5:17). So follow this, dear ones.

Man began by worshiping God ALONE, at man made altars.
Then God designed a Tabernacle, but His people built it.
Then God designed a Temple, but once more humans built it.

These things were all temporary. God slowly introduced us to what He would do through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament altar was man made, and its foundation was dirt or stone. The Old Testament Tabernacle was built on dirt. The Old Temple was built on stone. These things were all EARTHLY, all OF THIS WORLD. These were all but “COPY and SHADOWS of the Heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5). These were but “SHADOWS of the GOOD THINGS TO COME” (Hebrews 10:1).

The Father planned the Church. The Son died for the Church. The Holy Spirit is building the Church. The Master’s Plan is the Church.

Ephesians 2:20 (KJV) And are BUILT upon the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone;

The Church is not built on dirt like an altar or the Tabernacle. The Church’s foundation is not stone like the Temple. Those things are temporary, and faded with time. The Church is built on “the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS”, the eternal writings that we call the Holy Bible. When God’s people come together in love, we are the Church. Hear me!

We don’t “go to Church”. We ARE the Church!

That which holds the Church together is Jesus Christ. He is the “Chief Corner Stone”. My commentary notes:

“Since ancient times, builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects. A cornerstone was the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of an edifice, to guide the workers in their course. The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the edifice. The Bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone that His church would be built upon. He is foundational. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment.”

The Prophet said of Christ in Isaiah 28:16-17 (ESV) thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a Stone, a Tested Stone, a Precious Cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.

The Church belongs to Jesus. The Church glorifies the Lord Who made us. Jesus promised, “I will build MY CHURCH, and the GATES OF HELL will NOT prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The Church is not temporary. It is permanent. The Church is not built on earth or stone, but on Scripture and Jesus. The Church is a body of believers – the Kingdom of Christ – gathered together to worship Him.

Ephesians 2:21(KJV) In Whom {in Jesus Christ, in God} all the building fitly framed together GROWETH INTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD:

The Church is God’s Temple. Not this building, but the people who gather together to worship the Lord Jesus. The Church – that body of believers – who loves Jesus will grow spiritually and numerically. It will grow brighter and brighter to the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:22 In Whom {In God} ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

God lives in His Church. He lives in the midst of His people. We cling to Jesus Christ our Lord. We stand on what the Word of God teaches. We love one another, as Christ has loved us. Amen.