QT 21/02/2025 Fri. Ephesians 2:1–10. Problem, Solution, Ultimate Purpose. 问题、解决方案、最终目的.

QT 21/02/2025 Fri. Ephesians 2:1–10. Problem, Solution, Ultimate Purpose
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eph2:1-10

PROBLEM
The PROBLEM faced by the readers of the epistle was that they walked the course of this world, followed the prince of the power of the air, and live in the passions of our flesh (2:3). Who did not do so once upon a time? Paul repeated twice the idea that "you were dead in the trespasses" (2:1) and "we were dead in our trespasses" (2:5). Living in such conditions of being influenced by worldly values, there was nothing else to expect other than death and destruction. If left unchecked, the human nature that was tainted with sin would be characterised by appetites and desires that power the works of the flesh resulting in impurities like selfish ambition, rage, envy etc (see Galatians 5:19–20 for more examples listed by Paul).

Ephesians 2:3–6 [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (ESV)

SOLUTION
What is the SOLUTION when sinners could not extricate themselves from the quicksand-like lure of the sinful world, the inevitability of death of body and alienation from God? The only solution would be to ask for external help that has sufficient power to administer this help. The clutch of death can be released by disengaging it's gear that turns you. In place of this, connect with the correct engine that is "rich in mercy" (2:4) and even delights in it:–

Micah 7:18–19
[18] Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
[19] He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea. (ESV)

PURPOSE
God had in mind this solution long ago. He effected this intention through Jesus Christ. This was not only for the readers that Paul was writing to, but for all who would respond to this invitation—us, "made us alive together with Christ" (2:5).

Ephesians 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

Paul pointed to the ultimate PURPOSE of these actions—for the demonstration of God's riches in Christ Jesus. This God-centred purpose (rather than human-centred purpose) reminded readers of where they sit among the stars, constellations and galaxies of the universe–at a very small place.

REFLECTION: After all that you wanted to think, do and feel have come to pass, who gets the glory? God or us or you? Is this problem-solution-purpose foundation of Ephesians 2:1–10 forming the foundation of your thought world day to day?

QT 21/02/2025 星期五. 以弗所书2:1–10. 问题、解决方案、最终目的
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/eph/02

问题
这封书信的读者所面临的问题是，他们随从空中掌权者，活在肉体的情欲中（2:3）。从前谁不是这样呢？保罗两次重复了 “因着自己的过犯和罪恶，原是死的”（2:1）和 “因过犯死了”（2:5）。生活在这种受世俗价值观影响的环境中，除了死亡和毁灭，别无他后果。如果任其发展，被罪玷污的人性就会以欲望和食欲为特征，这些欲望和食欲会助长肉体的行为，导致自私的野心、暴怒、嫉妒等杂质（见《加拉太书》5：19-20，保罗列举了更多的例子）。

以弗所书 2:3-6 [3] 我们从前也都和他们在一起，放纵肉体的私欲，随着肉体和心意所喜好的去行；我们与别人一样，生来都是可怒的儿女。 4 然而　神满有怜悯，因着他爱我们的大爱，5 就在我们因过犯死了的时候，使我们与基督一同活过来，（你们得救是靠着恩典，）6 又使我们在基督耶稣里，与他一同复活，一同坐在天上

解决方法
当罪人无法摆脱罪恶世界流沙般的诱惑，无法避免身体的死亡和与上帝的疏远时，该如何解决呢？唯一的解决办法就是寻求外援，因为外援有足够的能力提供帮助。只要松开转动你的齿轮，就能解开死亡的束缚。取而代之的是，与 “满有怜悯”（2:4）、甚至乐于怜悯的正确引擎相连接

弥迦书 7:18-19 有何神像你，赦免罪孽，不追究产业之余民的过犯呢？他不永远怀怒，因为他喜爱怜悯。19 他必再怜爱我们，把我们的罪孽都践踏在脚下，又把我们的一切罪恶都投在深海里。

目的
很久以前，这位神就想到了这个解决方案，并通过耶稣基督将其付诸实施。这不仅是为了保罗写信的读者，也是为了所有回应这一邀请的人--我们，“使我们与基督一同活过来”（2:5）。

以弗所书 2:7 为的是要在将来的世代中，显明他在基督耶稣里赐给我们的恩典，是多么的丰盛。

保罗指出了这些行动的最终目的--彰显上帝在基督耶稣里的丰富。这种以神为中心的目的（而不是以人为中心的目的）提醒读者，在宇宙的恒星、星座和星系中，他们所处的位置非常渺小。

反思：当你所想、所做、所想感受的一切都落实之后，谁会得到荣耀？是上帝还是我们，抑或是你？以弗所书 2：1-10 中的 “问题--解决方案--最终目的 ”是否构成了你日常思想领域的基础？