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What is a Christian

Page 2

Becoming a Christian requires a HEART CHANGE and that can only happen when you allow Jesus Christ to change you.

Paul's letter to the Ephesian church divides neatly into two sections. The first describes the spiritual blessings all believers possess; the second outlines what God expects of believers in light of all He has done for them.

Chosen by God; election (Ephesians 1:4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.Ephesians 1 verse 4)

To keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6(verse 3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(verse 4) [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (verse 5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(verse 6) One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.Ephesians 4 verses 3-6)

Adoption into God's family (Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.Ephesians 1 verse 5, Ephesians 2:19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.Ephesians 2 verse 19)

To use our abilities for the church's benefit (Ephesians 4:7-13(verse 7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

(verse 8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(verse 9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

(verse 10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

(verse 11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

(verse 12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

(verse 13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.Ephesians 4 verses 7-13)

Acceptance before God (Ephesians 1:6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.Ephesians 1 verse 6)

To keep growing and maturing (Ephesians 4:14-15(verse 14) That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

(verse 15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ.Ephesians 4 verses 14-15)

Forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.Ephesians 1 verse 7)

To put away old, sinful ways (Ephesians 4:17-24(verse 17) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

(verse 18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

(verse 19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

(verse 20) But ye have not so learned Christ;

(verse 21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

(verse 22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(verse 23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

(verse 24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.Ephesians 4 verses 17-24, Ephesians 5:2-14)

Insight into God's will (Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.Ephesians 1 verse 9)

To speak honestly and purely (Ephesians 4:25, 29(verse 25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (verse 29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Ephesians 4 verses 25, 29)

An eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.Ephesians 1 verse 11)

To do what the HOLY SPIRIT leads us to do (Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.Ephesians 4 verse 30) (NOT our hearts or self-will)

The seal of the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.Ephesians 1 verse 13, Ephesians 2:18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Ephesians 2 verse 18)

To imitate God (Ephesians 5:1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.Ephesians 5 verse 1)

God's mercy and love (Ephesians 2:4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.Ephesians 2 verse 4, Ephesians 3:17-19(verse 17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

(verse 18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

(verse 19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.Ephesians 3 verses 17-19)

To walk in LOVE (Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Ephesians 5 verse 2)

Wisdom and knowledge (Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.Ephesians 1 verse 17)

To find out what is acceptable to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.Ephesians 5 verse 10)

Divine power (Ephesians 1:19-20(verse 19) And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

(verse 20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places].Ephesians 1 verses 19-20, Ephesians 3:16, 20(verse 16) That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

(verse 20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.Ephesians 3 verses 16, 20)

To make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Ephesians 5 verse 16)

Spiritual life (Ephesians 2:1, 5(verse 1) And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;

(verse 5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)Ephesians 2 verses 1, 5)

To be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.Ephesians 5 verse 18)

The promise of eternal kindness (Ephesians 2:7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.Ephesians 2 verse 7)

To submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.Ephesians 5 verse 21)

The knowledge that God's plan for us is good (Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2 verse 10)

To have marriages that honor God (Ephesians 5:22-33)

Unity and peace with ALL BELIEVERS (Ephesians 2:11-18(verse 11) Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

(verse 12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

(verse 13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(verse 14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

(verse 15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

(verse 16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

(verse 17) And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

(verse 18) For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Ephesians 2 verses 11-18, Ephesians 3:6Ephesians 3 verse 6) (You do not throw people away who get in the way of your dreams!)

To honor God in our families (Ephesians 6:1-4(verse 1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

(verse 2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

(verse 3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

(verse 4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.Ephesians 6 verses 1-4)

Heavenly citizenship (Ephesians 2:19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.Ephesians 2 verse 19)

To demonstrate integrity in the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-9(verse 5) Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

(verse 6) Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

(verse 7) With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

(verse 8) Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether [he be] bond or free.

(verse 9) And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.Ephesians 6 verses 5-9)

Direct access to God through Christ (Ephesians 3:12In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.Ephesians 3 verse 12)
(NOT through a self-proclaimed prophet or preacher!)

To stand strong against the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18(verse 10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

(verse 11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

(verse 12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

(verse 13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(verse 14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

(verse 15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

(verse 16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

(verse 17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(verse 18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.Ephesians 6 verses 10-18)