Ephesians

God’s Sovereignty: Does It Mean He Causes Everything?

God's Sovereignty

The opening verses of the book of Ephesians contains wording that has been a source of substantial theological disagreement among Christians for over 1500 years.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, (Eph. 1:3-5 BEREAN)1

A small but vocal group of Christians who follow John Calvin’s teachings claims that vv. 4-5 prove God personally selects each individual’s eternal destiny. This interpretation misunderstands two key points: the nature of God’s sovereignty and the idea that humans lack the ability to make their own spiritual choices. We must first work through these two ideas before attempting to understand what vv. 4-5 teach us.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Calvinism, Ephesians, Theology

Heaven Isn’t Waiting: The Heavenly Places You’re Already Part Of

Heavenly Places

When studying Ephesians, some phrases are easy to overlook because we assume we already understand them. In the previous post, we examined “in Christ” and saw how much hinges on grasping its true meaning. Another phrase that deserves close attention is “heavenly places.” Paul uses this phrase multiple times in Ephesians, yet many readers may not stop to consider what it actually means. A clear understanding of “heavenly places” is essential for interpreting key themes in this letter.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ephesians

‘In Christ’: The Bible’s Explosive Reality We Tamed Into a Slogan

In Christ

Have you ever heard someone say “Jesus lives in my heart”? While this common expression captures one aspect of our relationship with Christ, it might actually miss a more profound biblical truth. The Apostle Paul, especially in his letter to the Ephesians, emphasizes something different – that we live in Christ. Just as Paul addresses people who are “in Ephesus,” he writes to believers who are “in Christ,” pointing to a specific position or location in the spiritual realm.

This seemingly small distinction carries enormous implications for how we understand our Christian identity and relationship with God. Throughout Ephesians, Paul repeatedly uses the phrase “in Christ” or “in Him.” These aren’t just casual references or mere prepositions – they represent a fundamental theological concept about where we stand in relation to God. If we fail to notice this phrase or fail to understand it, we cannot really understand Ephesians.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ephesians

Ephesians: Introduction

Ephesians

Ephesians: Introduction

Important Facts:

  • Author: The apostle Paul.
  • Date: AD 57-59.
  • Main message of the book:
    • The overarching message of Ephesians is the unity of all believers in Christ and the practical implications of that unity for daily living.

Continue reading →
Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ephesians