Ephesians 2

Michael D · Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 4:17 am Post subject: Ephesians 2

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8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Thank You Father, for the gift of faith and for salvation by Your grace. I know there is nothing that I have done to "earn" a place in heaven with You. Help me to live in a way that reflects what You've done for me. My good "works" are a response to Your gift of salvation, not an attempt to earn salvation. TYF!

matdvd · Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2002 12:12 am Post subject: Ephesians 2

Oh sure Mike, take the cream of the crop with that one.

Anyone who has taken EE or FAITH courses, gets to memorize that one right from the start. And for good reason. You can always tell when a church or a cult is traveling down the wrong course, when they begin to believe that they are earning their salvation. What they try to accomplish by trying to get people to do the right things, actually backfires and places glory on man, not God. He alone offers salvation as a gift for those who earnestly seek it. If we could earn it, Christ died for nothing. Our human weakness just won't allow ourselves to accept such a wonderful gift without "paying" for it. However, once a person does come to terms with the gift, the love and devotion to God is double anything we could of done thinking we were working for Heaven.

I love how verse 4 sounds:

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But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...

Excellent! TYF indeed!

[This message has been edited by matdvd (edited August 22, 2002).]

Atrinae · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2002 5:44 am Post subject: Ephesians 2

I am new to this. I would like to know how your bible studies work. I am very hungry to learn more and have someone to dicuss it with. Are you all on Ephesians 2? What is the time frame you have set up?

Please let me know! And thanks a million

jamesron41 · Lion Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 945 Location: Waco,TX

I think we are on a chapter a week now. Just share your thoughts on the chapter with us. Welcome!

Michael D · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2002 4:51 pm Post subject: Ephesians 2

Welcome Atrinae - and all you lurkers out there. Jump right in. Pick a verse or two that speak to you and tell us how & why. Or ask a question about something that doesn't seem to make sense. Everyone's pretty friendly here except for Harry aka jamesron!

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kidding....

matdvd · Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2002 10:41 am Post subject: Ephesians 2

Ya know, I've had a run-in or two with that Harry fella too. I've asked CM to kick him off several times, but won't hear of it.

Actually, Harry is the backbone of most of these boards. And I desperately love him myself. It's been said we are the same person. Who said that?

Atrinae, we were trying a chapter-a-day for some time, but summer has come around, and everyone is so busy and working so hard, we are trying a chapter a week. Gives everyone a chance to participate. Only thing that has been lacking is new faces, and any controversy. I love different opinions. It makes for ways to grow spiritually and intellectually. Okay, I just love to argue 'cause it's fun....alright?