Israel's syncretism and trust in worldly wisdom during the years of the judges allows us to see the need for a greater Hope and greater Leader to conquer our true problem.

Those once separated from God and without hope have now been brought near as one new humanity and are being built into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

The promised Messiah had to face the curses of the broken covenant of works in order to redeem humanity. Jesus obeyed completely and suffered the just wrath of God on sin in our place, thereby nullifying the law and becoming our peace - peace with God...

We were once separated from God, but He has brought us near to him through the Christ's atoning work and our union with him.

Salvation is entirely by the grace of God, and now salvation's fruit - good works - fulfill His eternal purposes for us in Christ.

The rich mercy of God has made us alive with Christ, raised us up with Christ, and seated us with Christ.

The harsh reality of our natural identity is that we are dead in sin, enslaved to the elementary principles of the world, and recipients of God's just wrath on mankind's rebellion. But God...

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians reminds us of the realities of spiritual darkness as well as the power of the resurrected and enthroned Christ.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians is not a lofty, apostolic prayer, but an example of how Christians should pray in faith and thanksgiving for one another.

The end of Paul's opening eulogy praises God for his work in history to choose a people, entrust them with his promises, and use them to make for himself an inheritance of nations.