by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 11, 2024 | Daily Devotional |
Scripture Passage: Ephesians 2:1-8
‘And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,’
Ephesians 2:1-8
Devotional
In Ephesians 2:1-8, the apostle Paul unveils an amazing joyful truth that lies at the heart of our faith — the transformative power of God’s grace. He begins by painting a vivid picture of our former state: spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins (old Adam), enslaved to the ways of this world and under the dominion of the prince of the power of the air; Satan.
But even in our state of spiritual death, God, rich in mercy and boundless in love, intervened on our behalf. Through the immeasurable greatness of His grace, He made us alive together with Christ, raising us up from the depths of our sin and seating us with Him in the heavenly places.
This transformation is not of our own doing but is a gracious gift from God. We are saved by grace, through faith — faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is by faith alone, this our trust, believing in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, that we are reconciled to God and baptized into the body of Christ.
Reflecting on our past condition reminds us of the magnitude of God’s grace and the depth of His love for us. We were once dead in our sins, but through the power of the gospel, we have been made alive in Christ. This is a testament to the incomparable riches of God’s grace, lavished upon us in Christ Jesus.
As we move through this life, and encounter good or bad, let us never forget the amazing grace that God has poured out in our lives. May we live each day in awe of His grace, walking in the good works that He has prepared for us, and sharing the life-giving message of the gospel with a world in need of hope and redemption.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus name and thank You for Your boundless grace and unfailing love. Thank You for making us alive in Christ and seating us with Him in heavenly places. Help us to walk in the reality of our new identity as Your beloved children, empowered by Your Spirit to live lives that bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you were encouraged in anyway by this devotional please consider sharing this with someone who needs encouragement.
In Christ alone.
by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 10, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
‘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;’
Philippians 1:6
In Philippians 1:6, the apostle Paul expresses his joy in the believers at Philippi, who actively shared the gospel of grace from the moment of they believed.
Paul’s writes: “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Here, Paul assures the Philippians, and by extension us, that God initiates and sustains the work of salvation in believers’ lives. From the moment a person believes by faith alone in the gospel, God seals us with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5).
God’s work in believers is ongoing, with the promise of completion on “the day of Jesus Christ” – the day of our ultimate redemption. This refers to the glorious event when believers will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air, both those who have passed away and those who are alive (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In an instant, believers will be transformed into their immortal bodies and united with the Lord forever (1 Corinthians 15:52-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The clear and repeated assurance by God that our redemption is secure should be of great encouragement to all believers. Regardless of the trials and tribulations faced in this life, believers can take refuge in God’s promise of eternal life with Him. Our day to day life may be filled with challenges, but our destination is secured by God’s unwavering faithfulness.
Let us find strength and hope in God’s promises, knowing that He who began the good work in us will bring it to completion. As we navigate life’s uncertainties, let us cling to the assurance that our God is faithful, and His plans for us are certain and secure.
by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 7, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Introduction
In a world of uncertainty and shifting values, there’s one constant that remains unchanged: God’s unwavering desire for mankind to believe what He says, faith. Hebrews 11:6 encapsulates this truth, affirming that faith is not merely a desirable trait but an indispensable one not only for our salvation but in our walk with God. But what exactly does it mean to have faith? And why does God place such paramount importance on it? Let’s delve deeper into the essence of faith and its significance in our lives.
‘But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’
Hebrews 11:6
Firstly, let’s define faith. Faith is simply believing what God says. As Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In other words, we can’t have faith in something until we’ve heard about it. God doesn’t expect us to believe something we’ve never been told. However, when God reveals His word to us, He expects us to believe Him.
A perfect example of faith is seen in Abraham. Romans 4:3 states, “For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.'” Abraham believed God’s word, and it was credited to him as righteousness. We see this demonstrated in Genesis 15, where the chapter begins with “the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision saying.” God speaks to Abraham, making him a promise. Then, after hearing God’s promises, Abraham believed in the LORD, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
For us today, the principle remains the same. Since the revelation of the gospel of the grace of God was given to Paul around 38 AD, salvation has been offered to all based solely on faith. Salvation doesn’t require us to do anything but believe by faith alone that Jesus Christ accomplished everything necessary for our salvation through His finished work on the cross. Therefore, for those who have heard this message proclaimed for almost 2000 years, God expects us to believe Him, to trust in what He says about our salvation.
The Tiny Seed of Faith
Jesus, in Matthew 17:20, illustrates that even a tiny mustard seed of faith can move mountains. This imagery emphasizes that God isn’t looking for elaborate displays of faith but rather a simple, childlike trust in Him and His promises. This foundational principle echoes throughout the writings of the apostle Paul, who repeatedly emphasizes that salvation and righteousness come through faith alone.
Faith vs. Works
Paul’s letters to the Romans and Ephesians underscore the primacy of faith in the Christian life. In Romans 3:24-28, Paul declares that justification comes freely through faith, not by works of the law. He further expounds on Abraham’s faith as the basis for righteousness in Romans 4, highlighting that salvation is not earned through human effort but received through faith in God’s promises.
Peace and Access Through Faith
In Romans 5:1-2, Paul reveals the profound implications of faith for believers. Through faith alone in the gospel, we are justified and have peace with God, gaining access to His grace and rejoicing in the hope of glory. This assurance of salvation by faith alone underscores the unmerited favor and love that God extends to all those who believe.
The Gift of Salvation
Ephesians 2:8 reaffirms the foundational truth that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith. Our works, no matter how noble, cannot earn us salvation; it is solely by God’s grace, appropriated by faith, that we are saved. This highlights the essence of faith as the conduit through which God’s saving power operates in our lives.
Conclusion
In a world with no absolutes, where uncertainty abounds, faith remains an absolute that mankind can not ignore when comes to pleasing a Holy God. Faith remains the anchor of our souls and the key to our relationship with God. Through faith, we lay hold of God’s promises, receive His grace, and experience the transformative power (salvation; Romans 1:16) of His love (the cross). Let us, therefore, nurture and strengthen our faith, by studying His word daily, knowing that faith is the sine qua non, the essential ingredient, to please God.
‘But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.’
Hebrews 11:6
Believe and Be Saved: The Transformative Power of Faith
by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 5, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Romans 16:25 reveals a biblical truth ignored by most of Christendom—the distinction between Paul’s gospel and the gospel of the kingdom preached by Jesus and the twelve apostles. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul sheds light on a mystery hidden since before the world began, emphasizing the unique revelation entrusted to him alone.
Truth Over Tradition
Paul did not come on the scene until 37 AD. Then Paul spent 3 years in the desert of Arabia (most likely Mt. Sinai) with the Lord. Then Paul began, his ministry to the Gentiles in 40 AD. It is imperative to understand the time factor this is 11 years after Pentecost. To repeat, Paul began preaching eleven years after Pentecost. There was no message of salvation or doctrine to the Gentile world prior to Paul being chosen by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).
The verse reads, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.” Here, Paul distinguishes his gospel from the message proclaimed by Jesus during His earthly ministry and by the twelve apostles. While the gospel of the kingdom focused on the imminent establishment of God’s earthly kingdom through Israel, Paul’s gospel reveals a mystery—a divine secret hidden from ages past.
Paul’s gospel emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, apart from the law, extending God’s redemptive plan to both Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:8-9). These new revelations, entrusted to Paul as the steward of the mysteries of God’s grace (1 Corinthians 4:1; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:1-11), chosen by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13).
The significance of Romans 16:25 lies in its unveiling of this mystery—a revelation that underscores the sovereign plan of God for redemption. Romans 11:32 clarifies that God, in His foreknowledge, knew that Israel would reject in unbelief and that the mystery was already part of His eternal purposes. God has temporarily blinded the nation of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles will at some time in the future be complete (Romans 11:25), revealing another mystery or secret.
As we examine Romans 16:25 alongside Romans 11:32 and 2 Peter 3:15-16, we uncover the profound contrast between Paul’s gospel and the divine wisdom (the mysteries) bestowed upon him by the Lord Jesus, surpassing the message preached by Peter and the 11. We need only to look to what the apostle Peter admonishes his readers at the very end of his great ministry.
‘and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.’
II Peter 3:15-16
In Peter’s final words, he emphasizes the significance of turning to Paul for matters of salvation. Take notice (because most do not) how Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, directs his readers to Paul’s teachings rather than referring to Christ’s earthly ministry, such as the sermon on the mount or referring to his own ministry. Peter’s admonishment is Holy Spirit inspired and underscores his recognition that salvation hinges on the new revelations and wisdom given to Paul, highlighting the fact that it was Paul’s gospel that saves sinners.
May we marvel at the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge, recognizing His unsearchable judgments and His ways past finding out.
by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 5, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
‘Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ‘
Romans 15:8
In Romans 15:8, the Apostle Paul underscores a pivotal truth: that Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was to the nation of Israel not Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6), referred to here as “the Circumcision.” The Lord Jesus earthly ministry was not arbitrary; it was a fulfillment of God’s eternal plan and the promises He made to the patriarchs. These promises were encapsulated within the framework of covenants, most notably the Abrahamic Covenant, which laid the foundation for God’s redemptive plan moving forward. Beyond Abraham, these covenants constituted a divine promise between God and Israel, addressing both their immediate needs and their future glory.
Despite Israel’s rejection of their Messiah, God’s faithfulness to these covenants remains unwavering. Rather than discarding them, God has temporarily postponed their fulfillment by committing them (Israel, the Jewish people) all to disobedience (Romans 11:32), temporarily blinding (Romans 11:25) Israel in part until the last Gentile is saved and the body of Christ is full. Then God will return to dealing with His chosen people; fulfilling all the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.
Thus, John 1:11; Romans 15:8; Matthew 10:5-6; Romans 11:25; Romans 11:32 underscore the intricacies of God’s plan, revealing His faithfulness to His promises and His enduring commitment to His chosen people.
The Mystery or Secret of the Gospel of Grace