However, pulling out one verse from your reading and really chewing on it...meditating on it...dissecting it is highly encouraged-especially if you are young in the faith.
What do I mean when I say "young in the faith?" If you are a new believer, struggle with reading the Holy Bible, or just checking what Christianity is all about, then this post is for you!
So the one verse that we will be looking at together is from the epistle (letter) to the church in Ephesians written by Paul. Paul wrote most of what we call the New Testament and you can find his testimony (story) in the book of Acts. If you want to learn more about the church of Ephesus follow the link. Yes, it's Wikipedia-there's pros and cons. If you are not that interested in the "in depth" history click here for Bible Gateway's synopsis.
Back to our verse then-chapter 2 verse 5 of Ephesians:
New International Version (NIV)
(God)"...made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions
—it is by grace you have been saved."
Just to get even more of a feel, let's look at it in a few different translations:
New Living Translation (NLT)
"that even though we were dead because of our sins,
he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)"
New Life Version (NLV)
"Even when we were dead because of our sins,
He made us alive by what Christ did for us.
You have been saved from the punishment of sin by His loving-favor."
New King James Version (NKJV)
"even when we were dead in trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),"
Regardless of how you say it I don't want miss the jest. Three characters are at work here. Who are they? God, Jesus, and you. Who is doing what? God-making, Jesus (the Christ)-resurrecting, and you...what about you?
Why? Why are these things going on? The verse answers that as well.
I personally have the Apologetics Study Bible, which similar to our others read as such:
"...made us alive with the Messiah
even though we were dead in trespasses.
By grace you are saved!"
Next, what I like to do is highlight, circle, and underline the hot or key words. What are they? Mine were="alive, Messiah, dead, trespasses, grace, saved." They might be different for you and that's okay! It is what we do with these chosen words that I believe matter. This would be a good time to pull up or out a dictionary. Yeah, we get'n all Bible Study up in hur!
From the marks I made around, over, or under these words I then draw an arrow to my notes about them. Obviously, do whatever flows with your own unique style!
Thus, the arrow next to "alive" I noted "life to its fullest" because I know from reading the Scripture (and experience) that there is a difference between living and the life God has for us. You see, you were made for so much more...you were meant to live for so much more....if only we lost ourselves (Switchfoot reference).
"Messiah"-this is another word for the "the awaited one," the "one sent from God," the "one that would rescue" the Jews from their oppression. Funny though, the one they expected was nothing like they dreamt, but He was exactly what they...and the world needed!
"trespasses"-we have crossed the line drawn by God. We saw, read, and understood that sign that said "do not cross" but we did it anyway. What was that line? The Ten Commandments is a good starting point.
"grace...saved"-this, this is our anchor
From doing this type of technique with the Word, I have found that it then paints a much grander picture of our God than just some words on a page. Did you get that too?
The imagery that comes to my mind then from this ONE verse, is that God is our Lifeguard.
image from http://usamanagement.com/lifeguard-companies/
He, like this Lifeguard, is protecting us from the dangers we may put ourselves in. He doesn't stop us from getting in the water-no, it was created for our enjoyment! But like the entices of the world, sometimes those things we do can cause harm...even death. God doesn't want that! So there are rules, of course-but only ones to make sure you are safe! Not trip you up! He's watching carefully, intently, because He cares for you!
But...you probably already know this.
So I want to take you deeper. I want you to know more about this God in the Holy Bible...for He is not JUST our Lifeguard. He is so much more.
He's in the pool with you. He's playing "Marco Polo", splashing you as you splash back. He's there racing you to the other end. laughing along with prunny fingers! He's there directing who goes down the slide next, who climbs on who for a game of "Chicken." He's the one giving out more pool toys, making sure you have a towel to dry off with, and sunblock so you don't get burned. He's so much more than you can imagine!
Now, I want to take a moment here and make the distinction between the God of the Bible and the gods of other religions.
You see our God is Good itself; He brings only what is good. Yet, the material things you receive He is not. He is not your house, your sweater, or that five course meal. He is not made of wood, plaster, or steal. Continuing with our pool analogy, God is not the water, the floaty, or goggles. He can work through those things He has blessed you with, but He is a separate entity.
So how do you have a relationship with a God like this then?
A God who not only has given you everything in life itself, but while you didn't deserve (or at the moment want) it, God sent His only son Jesus to die for you. Jesus then, did not just take the punishment for you & I's sin, but He came back to life. That power and freedom over the drowning is yours today when you put your trust in Him...the one we call our Lifeguard...the one who came into the pool with us.
How does this view of God contrast with your original thoughts?
How can this expansion on who God is help you with your relationship with Him?
What about our one verse challenges you to live differently today?
Share your thoughts below; I'd love to hear them!
But...you probably already know this.
So I want to take you deeper. I want you to know more about this God in the Holy Bible...for He is not JUST our Lifeguard. He is so much more.
He's in the pool with you. He's playing "Marco Polo", splashing you as you splash back. He's there racing you to the other end. laughing along with prunny fingers! He's there directing who goes down the slide next, who climbs on who for a game of "Chicken." He's the one giving out more pool toys, making sure you have a towel to dry off with, and sunblock so you don't get burned. He's so much more than you can imagine!
Now, I want to take a moment here and make the distinction between the God of the Bible and the gods of other religions.
You see our God is Good itself; He brings only what is good. Yet, the material things you receive He is not. He is not your house, your sweater, or that five course meal. He is not made of wood, plaster, or steal. Continuing with our pool analogy, God is not the water, the floaty, or goggles. He can work through those things He has blessed you with, but He is a separate entity.
So how do you have a relationship with a God like this then?
A God who not only has given you everything in life itself, but while you didn't deserve (or at the moment want) it, God sent His only son Jesus to die for you. Jesus then, did not just take the punishment for you & I's sin, but He came back to life. That power and freedom over the drowning is yours today when you put your trust in Him...the one we call our Lifeguard...the one who came into the pool with us.
How does this view of God contrast with your original thoughts?
How can this expansion on who God is help you with your relationship with Him?
What about our one verse challenges you to live differently today?
Share your thoughts below; I'd love to hear them!
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