Ephesians Lesson 26 of 39 part 9

Ephesians 4:6

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

He is also identified with the One Lord of verse 5, and the One Spirit back there in verse 4. All of the Ones listed are but the character of Truth, the nature of Christ, the Spirit of Truth.

This all has to be taken in by faith, because we all begin as a babe, and as a babe we wont comprehend it. It is for this reason that many do not grown in knowledge or faith. But do exhibit only the status of a babe, and we do not think anybody that remains as such can receive from God. Because even though He indwells us all as a seed, this seed requires breaking before growth and development in spirit can take place. If we have a blockage in our vision or sight of God, then we are flawed. We are flawed because of our thinking, if thinking is flawed then we are hindered from receiving all things spiritual. If what we hear from say the pulpit is flawed, then we also are flawed. For as Jesus said, a little leaven spoils the whole lump. We are to examine ourselves, by testing the spirit we are hearing or receiving from. And if we are afraid of truth, which is by the way, what we should be asking for, then the whole will remain in the leaven of darkness and sin. Why? Because yeast and sugar create pockets of air, bubbles trapped within the lump and this causes the bread to raise. and this bread is a lie. But unleavened dough has no raising because there is no yeast and sweetness of sin in it, it is said to be true meet for the body. This is the flesh of Christ Jesus given us, which is Truth. Truth is what we need and desire above all other things but if we remain in sin we remain in darkness because we deceive ourselves because there is no Truth in us. And therefore we are none of His.

Three Persons as One? And yet this is the way the Bible teaches what Paul calls then in Colossians the Godhead. 

We are going into another few verses which seem to present a very interesting concept, which had to have taken place when Christ was crucified, or shortly there after, while in the grave those 3 days and 3 nights. 

Ephesians 4:7

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."

In other words, every member of the One Body of Christ have a different level of responsibility, in grace. Even of faith, and that is God prerogative, as we are all different, but we are all members of the One Body. Though we maybe in differing stages of growth, just as a child has differing stages in his or her development and maturing. We have used the embryo or the fetus as an example of this growth in the past.

Ephesians 4:8

"Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men."

Here, we have a flash back to Matthew chapter 27, where it states in verses 52 and 53, "the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."

From here to Colossians 2 verse 15 where it states this, "having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." 

And both of these bear witness to Psalm 68 which states this in verses 18-20, " You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive: You have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and to GOD the Lord belong the issues from death."