Jesus Came to Give Us the Kingdom of God!
Ephesians 2:1-11 New International Version
Made Alive in Christ 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—
Wednesday - February 23
In this passage from his letter to the Christians of Philippi, Paul expresses a similar idea that he wrote in Ephesians. Here you could say that he is encouraging them to live out the Gospel. As Paul explains, Jesus did not come to be served or to use his power to overthrow the world through politics or military power. He did not come to live like a celebrity in comfort and style. He came to GIVE us the kingdom of God. Jesus came to serve us and deliver to us God’s grace (unmerited favor). It is true that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. However, how did Jesus get there? Through the cross! Through obedience to His Father. As Paul says, let us “have this mind” among ourselves. The mind of the Gospel.