Ephesians 1:2 - Part 1

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

May 7, 2020

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

In a previous message at the end of March we shared a little background of the Book of Ephesians plus some thoughts from Ephesians, Chapter 1 and Verse 1. In this message we will look at Ephesians, Chapter 1 and Verse 2.

"Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Grace and peace from God are essential in the life of the believer. Receiving or accepting God's grace comes before a walk in peace with Him. Grace and peace are two characteristics which should mark us Christians at all times. Grace and peace are always found in that order because grace is the foundation and peace is the result. Grace is like the "bookends" of Ephesians, which begins and ends with a prayer for grace for the saints. 

"Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity" 

(Ephesians 6:24).

In this message we will only have time to share about the amazing grace of God.

The Book of Ephesians is written to Christians over all of time. Therefore Verse 2 means grace to keep and preserve us, not grace to save. For the believer, salvation is already settled for eternity (unless we later deny the Lord), but we need daily grace for daily trials. 

It is one thing to have the blessings and another thing to make them yours. Suppose I come into your house and lay a 20 dollar bill on your table and say "I freely give this money to you." As far as I am concerned you have the money. But unless you pick it up, put it in your pocket, and later use it, then you have never really received it.

Do we really take possession by faith of the things that are ours in Christ? He has blessed us with all things in Christ ... the forgiveness of our sins, justification from all things, sanctification in Christ, covering of perfect righteousness, a heavenly citizenship, a place in the body of Christ, and making us heirs of His riches through Christ! God has made Christ Jesus to be our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, peace, and redemption, and yet too many Christians are still trying to earn righteousness and sanctification. But it is all ours in Christ Jesus. We simply have to appropriate and walk in it. Jesus said, "If any man will be My disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."

Grace is God at work in our life and peace is a sense of security and trust, knowing that we are in the palm of His hand. Unless God moves upon us and within us, we can never enjoy His peace. But after that comes the practice, the application, the working out of these in terms of the normal situations of life. We must work out that which God works in. 

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

The word "grace" appears 156 times in the Bible, twelve times in the Book of Ephesians. With the exception of the epistle to the Hebrews, every letter written by Paul begins and ends with "grace," thus emphasizing that the Christian life begins with grace, is lived by grace, and ends with grace, not by relying on self or works. The standard definition of grace is the undeserved favor of God. A practical definition of grace is that it represents God's enabling power to overcome the pull of the world, our flesh, and the devil. Without dependence upon His sanctifying grace, we saints cannot live the supernatural (victorious) Christian life. The Lord Jesus told Paul, 

"My grace is sufficient for thee" (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

16 And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1:16-17

The law was given by the Lord through Moses. We also need to remember that the law is truth (Psalm 119:142). Further, there was also grace in the time of Moses.

And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name. Exodus 33:17

Exodus 33:17 has great significance to my wife. Perhaps one day I will convince her to share some of her many testimonies related to the grace of God.

So grace and truth existed in the time of Moses. The difference is that the life and death of Jesus Christ was the supreme manifestation of grace. Jesus IS the Truth and He IS the manifestation of the grace of God. A well-known verse is, 

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Further, 

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." Titus 2:11

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

Genesis 6:8 says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. So the question arises, "How do we find grace in the eyes of the Lord?" We previously read,

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Titus 2:11

Therefore the grace of God is initially available to all men. It is our reaction or reception to the grace of God that makes the difference. A man can have several possible reactions to the grace of God. One possibility is to despise the Truth and thereby do despite to the Spirit of grace.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witness.

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace. Hebrews 10:28-29

A second possibility is to frustrate the grace of God by trying to establish our own righteousness through good works. This is an area that we believers need to be very careful to avoid.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:21

We then as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

We can also frustrate the grace of God (make it of none effect in our life) by seeking our own will and being friends with the world. This latter desire is VERY prevalent within the charismatic churches of today. It is the same attitude that ALL of the elders of Israel stated when they told Samuel, "Make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). James puts it this way: 

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. James 4: 3-6

The pathway to receiving more grace from God is humility, walking in His righteousness, and doing the will of God from the heart. It is exemplified by the parable of the talents, in Matthew 25:14-30. In that parable, a man called his servants. He gave five talents to one, two talents to another, and one talent to the third servant, to every man according to his several ability. The first two servants doubled their talents; both were faithful over a few things and both were made rulers over many things. The servant who had received only one talent went and hid his talent in the earth and returned it later to his lord. That servant was soundly rebuked and even forfeited his only talent. The fact that we can receive more and more grace is clearly indicated from Luke 2:52.

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

The word, "favour," means grace. The grace of God abounds, ever fresh, according to our need.

Acts, Chapter 2, describes what happened on the day of Pentecost. 

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them three thousand souls.

The word for the Church today is still the same; Repent and save yourselves from this untoward generation. The word "untoward" means "crooked, perverse, or warped." The Church, which is supposed to be "straight," is no longer straight, but crooked, having been warped for many long years by the ways of the world. The Church has been infiltrated by a democratic spirit, an independent spirit, a spirit of materialism, the god of entertainment, traditions of me, idolatry, and on and on. The word "untoward" is the same type of word that is used to characterize Jacob, who tried for years to bring about the blessing of God through his own efforts. It can also mean "froward" (Psalm 18:26). Note also that Peter says to "save yourselves." Clearly this is NOT talking about being born again, for no one can save himself in that sense. The verse means that we must make a conscious decision on our part to repent from our own warped ways and allow the Lord to be Lord of our life.

Now let us compare the somewhat similar verses in Acts, Chapter 4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Acts 4:4

The word "men" in the above verse is the Greek word for males, NOT the more generic "human being" word that is frequently translated as "men." Acts 4 makes no mention of the number of women, if any, who believed. We believe that underscores the fact that when the men come into the kingdom, so will their wives and children. That is what Paul told the keeper of the prison in Philippi, who asked "what must I do to be saved?"

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house. Acts 16:31

Acts, Chapter 4, contains numerous similarities to the verses in Acts 2:41-47, but two significant differences. One similarity was the unity of the Spirit ... they were all in one accord to glorify God (Romans 15:6).

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

Verse 32 is amazing! But this is a major key for the Church over all of time ... the multitude of them which believed were of one heart and one soul. That speaks of the unity of the spirit, without which the Church can never thrive. Do we have that same unity in the Church today? Continuing in Acts 4:33, 

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:33-35

One difference between what happened on the day of Pentecost is that in Acts 4, 5,000 souls were added (by the Lord) to the Church, compared to 3,000 in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. More importantly, Acts 4:33 speaks of great power being manifested through the apostles and great grace being upon them all. This is the ONLY verse in the Bible which speaks about great grace. All of the other 155 Scriptures speak about grace, NOT great grace. Now Why was there great power and great grace in Acts 4 but only power and grace in Acts 2?

Let us first look at the phrase "great power." Jesus had told them to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Then just before He ascended into heaven Jesus said.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

They saw a manifestation of that power on the day of Pentecost and they simply BELIEVED the words that Jesus had spoken unto them. In other words they had faith to believe that which Jesus had told them and they ACTED upon that faith when they told the lame man to rise up and walk! WHY, in Acts 4:33, did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with GREAT power, but only power on the Day of Pentecost? Because the apostles asked for it! 

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Hoy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31

Note that the apostles, not every member of the Church, were allowed to manifest the great power of God. God will allow His great power to be manifested only through those who are sold out to Him.

Next, why was there great grace in Acts 4 for the apostles but only grace in Acts 2? We believe that the answer to this question may be found in examining what happened in Acts, Chapter 3. In Acts 3 Peter and John went up to the temple to pray and met the man who had been lame from his mother's womb. That, of course, was a Divine appointment! When the lame man asked for an alms of Peter and John, they did NOT ask the Lord to come and heal the man; instead, Peter spoke the word of healing to the man.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6

When Peter and John spoke the word of healing to the lame man, they recognized that they had already been endued with power from on high. They also recognized that it was the will of God for that lame man to be healed. Therefore they spoke the word of healing with all boldness and confidence, trusting and having faith in the Lord's word to them.

Then Peter preached his second "sermon," with the same general message as on the day of Pentecost; i.e., to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter and John were then arrested and commanded by the Sanhedrin not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus any more. This, of course, they refused, and they spoke the word of God with even more boldness. In other words, the Lord brought about this Divine appointment with the lame man and the subsequent trial of Peter and John in order to prove them, whether or not they would speak the word of the Lord with all boldness and authority and whether they would endure persecution. This was a trial of their faith by the Jewish Sanhedrin.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7

Peter and John easily passed that trial and were rewarded with more power and more grace. It is a great honor to be placed on trial by the religious elite of the day. That happened to Jesus and to Paul. It happened later to Martin Luther and, undoubtedly, a number of other holy men of God throughout history. I have known personally several men in my lifetime who were put on trial by charismatic Sanhedrins. But the apostles counted it all joy; so did Jesus.

And they [the apostles] departed from the presence of the council [the Sanhedrin], rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down a the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

However, great grace was upon them ALL! Why? We believe there are at least 2 answers to that question.

The first reason is because that early Church was in one accord, which we shared earlier. A house divided against itself cannot stand, but God pours out His great grace when we are in one accord with Him, His will, and His Master Plan. Scripturally, historically, and experientially, the Church has not been in one accord since the Book of Acts. Why? because of ignorance and the work of our adversary, the devil, who hates for the Church to be in one accord.

The second reason is found in 1 Samuel 30, when David and his 600 men had been sent back home by the king of the Philistines. When David and his men returned to their home in Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had burned their village and taken their wives, children, and animals captive. After they "wept until they had no more power to weep," David asked the Lord if he should pursue and overtake the Amalekites. The Lord told David to pursue, and he would overtake and recover all. David asked the Lord one question ... the Lord responded with two answers. That is the way our God is. We ask Him for one thing and He gives us two. So David and his 600 men of war started to pursue the Amalekites. After some time of pursuit, 200 of David's men were so faint that they could not continue, so they stayed at the brook Besor while David and the remaining 400 men continued the pursuit.

Just as the Lord had told David, they overtook and recovered all, including the spoil of the Amalekites. When they returned to the 200 men who had fainted at the brook Besor, those men who had continued to battle with the Amalekites told David that only they (the 400) should receive the spoils of the Amalekites. David said, "not so." He said,

1 Samuel 30:23-25, "Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day." 

What is this day? this very day in which we live.

The same principle is still true to this day for all of spiritual Israel. Whoever tarries by the stuff receives the same great grace and blessing as those who go out to battle. The little maid benefits from the same great grace as does the greatest of apostles (provided the members of the body are in one accord). That fact should be a comfort to each member of the body and should eliminate all desire for any individual Christian to attain to any great stature. Each member simply can be free to function in the place that the Lord has called them, knowing that by so doing they will partake of that same great grace.

Many years ago the pastor of a church in Allentown, PA, asked me to bring the word of God in his church one Sunday morning. The Lord impressed upon me to share about the little maid in 2 Kings 5. That is the story of when Elisha told Naaman, the captain of the host of the Syrian army, to go and dip in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed of leprosy. In those days there was no natural-level cure for leprosy. Naaman finally obeyed the word of the Lord through Elisha and Naaman was immediately healed of his leprosy. But it was the little Israeli maid who got the ball rolling which resulted in Naaman being healed of his leprosy.

After that Sunday meeting was over, a woman came up to me and told me how much she appreciated the word I had shared. She said that she was a little maid. Evidently she had been plagued with the feeling that her life as a little maid did not mean very much. But the Lord set her free that day. Glory be to God!

About 50 years ago I read a small booklet titled, "The Grace and Glory of God." In that booklet two authors talk about which is greater ... the grace of God or the glory of God. Perhaps they are like one tree ... the Tree of Life. The glory of God speaks of His nature, his inherent Person, His character, Who He is. His grace is like the leaves extended to His chosen people. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2.) God does not need grace for Himself and He says that He will not give His glory unto another.

Isaiah 48:10-11, "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another."

I have no doubt which of the two is greater. If we focus too much on the grace of God, at the expense of His glory and His purpose, we can easily slip over into a me-centered or humanistic Christianity.

2 Timothy 1:9, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

That verse says that His purpose is more important than His grace. Grace is vitally important, yes, but grace is only a means to an end. The God of all grace is even greater than the grace of God! 

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 510-11