This is part of a series on Every believer’s new life in Christ: Ephesians 1
- You are here: Growing into our natural new life in Christ
- Every believer’s new life in Christ [Part One]
- Explaining the Basic Christian Experience [Part Two]
Growing into our natural new life in Christ
Every believer’s new life in Christ
Growing is what should be happening after we are “born again“, Paul says. Makes sense to me. Why accept Jesus as your Savior — if you are not “into Him” 100%?
In chapter one of Ephesians Paul gives us a description of our natural new life in Christ. Paul prays for us, that we will grow in our faith.
our natural new life in Christ
Paul prays, basically, that we will not stagnate or fall away. Jesus said the same thing in Matthew 13, in His parable of the seed planted by the rocky soil. A whole lot of “unnatural” can happen to a planted seed, just as with someone who claims Jesus as Savior.
A lot of those “claimers” never make it into what is called “natural” by Paul. Our heart should be vibrant! Illustration: Stethoscope (short video at https://www.angelfire.com)
The natural response to Christ is to grab hold of the good soil – and flourish. Ephesians 1 is about flourishing, germinating naturally, sprouting strong and stable.
In our walk as believers, the biblical norm we aspire towards as Christians is an extremely high standard. In fact, it is an impossible norm – unless we are consistently filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you? The only way we can be who we truly are in Christ – is to be filled by His Spirit.
-Source: Are You Ready, Steady and Able?
Whatever comes our way – whatever the threat, whatever the sickness, whatever the evil, whatever the burden… (poverty, joblessness, hatred, unkindness, rejection, loneliness, pain, sorrow, persecution), Jesus gives us peace to be able to bear it. We need not succumb to fear. Jesus will give us strength to bear it, as he says:
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
Fearful things will often be pounding at our heart’s door, trying to make us be worried or be afraid. But, to that, Jesus says: you are of great worth to Me; do not be afraid in times of trouble. (Luke 12:6-7 – John 14:1)
– Source: Do not fear I will help you
Progress in the faith is the “norm”
Paul explains here (Ephesians 1): this is the natural Christian experience. This is what happens to a well planted seed. Here are the exact details. These are the natural spiritual experiences after salvation in Christ. Do you see them happening in your life?
We grow naturally in Christ. Are you growing naturally in your faith? That is what is called sanctification. Grow naturally. Paul is saying here: This progress in the faith is the “norm” for the everyday life experience of believers.
Study the Bible.
Scripture tells us to dig into Scripture – for ourselves, by ourselves:
Study and do your bestto present yourself to God approved,
a workman [tested by trial]
who has no reason to be ashamed,
accurately handling
and skillfully teaching
the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Amplified Bible
- Matthew 9:13 Jesus even told His enemies to “Go and learn“
“Go and learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”
- Acts 17:11-12 The Berean mindset: “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so“
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they entered the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 As a result many of them became believers, together with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
- Matthew 15:1-7 Traditions vs Scripture. Don’t allow false teachers [“hypocrites (play-actors, pretenders)“] to invalidate Scripture “…for the sake of your tradition”
“Then some Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus and said, 2 “Why do Your disciples violate the [a]tradition (religious laws) handed down by the [Jewish] elders? For Your disciples do not [ceremonially] wash their hands before they eat.”
3 He replied to them, “Why also do you violate the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]? 4 For God said [through Moses], ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of or insults or treats improperly father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone says to his father or mother, “Whatever [money or resource that] I have that would help you is [already dedicated and] given to God,” 6 he is not to honor his father or his mother [by helping them with their need].’
So by this you have invalidated the word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect] for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders]. 7 You hypocrites (play-actors, pretenders), rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said….”
A misinterpretation often taught today.
There is a catch phrase 1 found in Ephesians 1 (verse 17) that some have taken off with – and gone totally haywire 2 That phrase is: “A spirit of wisdom and of revelation”. Paul teaches that this should be what every believer experiences in every-day-life, as we earnestly seek to know Him better.
False teachers set themselves up as essential workers, elder welders of new revelations that others cannot get. They will say verse 17 (of Ephesians 1) is talking about “getting a new revelation from God”. They actually negate the wonder-working power of the Holy spirit to teach us, directly, and they (these false teachers) belittle the natural element of being a new creation with a desire to learn more, dig deep.
Natural new life
Paul is not saying this “spirit of wisdom and of revelation” is anything extra. Paul says we will all “get it”. It is not some special gift bestowed upon you by some guru Charasmatic or in one of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) associated churches.
You don’t “get it” by being instructed at their special training school. Not necessary! This “spirit of wisdom…” is natural in the scheme of things as one who has been “reborn from above“. All believers “get this”. It is “insight”.
“a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]” – Ephesians 1: verse 17
It is not worked-up by religious fervor at a revival. It is not dependent upon any “laying-on of hands” by a spiritual leader, nor does it come upon you as you are “filled with the Spirit” in a second infilling. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you need “something more”, some “unction” or “filling” or the hand of a minister upon you to “slay you in the Spirit”. We grow as we allow the Spirit to teach us.
You are enough as-is, because the Spirit of God has made you brand new, and He is now and forevermore inside you. [See: Who I really really am] This “spirit of wisdom and of revelation” is not a “do-it-for-you” spiritual awakening in some spiritual trance-like hocus pocus experience at a NAR, Pentecostal or Charismatic church 3
Read Ephesians 1: verse 17, the full verse.
“ 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].”
Paul says he wants us to have “deep and personal and intimate insight” into Christ. It is not some cheap skim-coat factual thing, but a “true knowledge of Him”.
It is not a new “revelation”. It is insight into Christ, freshly realized to us, as we sit under good biblical teaching and preaching, or study in our devotion times, and contemplate Him.
This is one of many natural Christian experiences in Christ. Read the full text for “context”: Ephesians 1.
Notice that #12 below, “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation”, is listed just like all sixteen. It is not listed chronologically (obvious, as we get #5 before we are #1). Nor is it a progressive, growing spirituality listing (as in: #1 is basic – and #12 is when you enter a more spiritual realm. Not so.).
The first “new life expectation” listed in this Ephesians passage, #1:“faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus” (verse 1), is what comes with being “reborn from above“, just as is true with all the rest from the 19 verses quoted. Don’t be mislead into needing more than what it is.
Here are consecutive verses showing the natural Christian experience.
Elements of our natural new life in Christ
For emphasis I have selected 16 quotes within Ephesians 1. These are 16 elements of our natural new life in Christ (depending on how detailed you break it apart into it’s pieces), each of which Paul prays we grasp a hold of by faith.
Elements we grow into in our natural new life in Christ
- “faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus” – verse 1
- Full of “Grace… and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – verse 2
- “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ” – verse 3
- “holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. – verse 4
- “we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us.” – verse 5
- “In Him… [d]received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will” – verse 11
- “put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior” – verse 12
- “heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him – verse 13
- “were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].” – verse 13
- “faith in the Lord Jesus” – verse 15
- “love for all God’s people” – verse 15
- “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]” – verse 17
- “the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] … enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit]” – verse 18
- “know and cherish the [b]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you” – verse 18
- “know …the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [c]saints (God’s people)” – verse 18
- “begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe.” – verse 19
Read the full context: Ephesians 1.
A recap of the Elements of our natural new life in Christ:
- Steadfast
- Inner calm and spiritual peacefulness
- Having every spiritual blessing
- Set apart and blameless
- Fully pardoned by His grace
- A destiny with an inheritance
- Confident in Him as Lord and Savior
- Heard the offer of salvation – and accepted Him
- Officially sealed as His – by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit
- Faith in the God-man, Jesus
- Love
- True knowledge of Christ – a deep and personal and intimate insight Him
- The very core of your being enlightened by the Spirit
- Confident expectation of what He has called you into (“know and cherish the [b]hope”)
- Realization of your glorious inheritance
- Realize little by little His power in you [active, spiritual]
This is the reality of new life in Christ. Wow!
NOTE: Read the full series on Every believer’s new life in Christ: Ephesians 1
- You are here: Growing into our natural new life in Christ
- Every believer’s new life in Christ [Part One]
- Explaining the Basic Christian Experience [Part Two]
FOR MORE:
Growing is what should be happening after we are “born again”, Paul says. The natural response to Christ is to grab hold of the good soil – and flourish. Ephesians 1 is about flourishing, germinating naturally, sprouting strong and stable.
____________
Our Life As God Sees It – Ephesians 2:1-10
Excerpt: *Capture each part of the process of being made alive in Christ.
Here the passage is broken into its separate phrases and nuanced truths
…explained here by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1-10.
Being 100% given-over to Jesus
We know what Jesus believes. Do you agree with Him?
About past sins and being forgiven now
Who I really really am Excerpt: Life. It’s not an easy road. But as I live my daily grind, I don’t have to let it grind me down.
Life’s a wild, buckin’ bronco ride. God chose the saddle I’m on, and there’s no gettin’ away from it. You gotta ride what’s under your saddle!
Sometimes I feel I’m walking down a rocky mountain trail, alone… and a pit-bull’s workin’ its way up my leg.
But, each day I am renewed and instilled with new energy and hope when I turn it all over to Him.
My hope is not in being saved from it all. My hope is knowing He is my all. He is my confidence and my hope. Read Hebrews 13:5-6.
Footnotes
- a word or expression that is used repeatedly and conveniently to represent or characterize a person, group, idea, or point of view – Google.
- as in: wrong, balmy, barmy, bats, batty, bonkers, awry, buggy, cracked, crackers and daft – Google.
- hocus pocus defined by Google: a meaningless chant or expression used in conjuring or incantation. According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary the term originates from hax pax max Deus adimax, a pseudo-Latin phrase used as a magical formula by conjurors.
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