Ironworks

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7  Do you ever consider what it would be like to be held against your will? I have considered what it would be like to be kidnapped and held for ransom by some captors. There is a term called Stockholm Syndrome which was coined when an escaped convict entered a bank and took captives in that city. Throughout the ordeal the hostages began to form a relationship with their captor and began to fear the police more than the man who was holding them. Eventually, tear gas deployed into the vault, and the captors and captives emerged. In a strange display they embraced, kissed, and shook hands. It was very strange but that is how the sinner lives on a daily basis. We find ourselves held captive. Certainly not against our will, but we choose to sin and become comfortable. Proverbs 5:22 reads, His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6             Do you want to be accepted? I think the answer has to be obvious. It seems almost innate that we desire to be accepted by those we love. We want to be accepted by our parents, we want to be accepted by our friends. We even want to be accepted by those that are not our friends and even those we do not even know.             The inspired Apostle Paul let us know how we are accepted by our God. Yet, the word translated “accepted” is a form of the Greek word charis or “grace.” So the word most closely means He "graced" us. God graced us with His presence through His Son Christ Jesus, and it goes even deeper.   The Word tells us He graced us because of Christ's presence (cf. Eph. 2:8). He graced us by sending His only Son who lived a perfect and sinless life (cf. Heb 4:15). He graced us with the fact that sinless life He gave up willingly

According 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 1:4              Do you know how important the church is? Paul, an inspired Apostle, had something to say about the church. These things apply to the church as a whole (cf. Eph. 1:1). It   is important to take into account that all the things we read in the following applies to the church. Remember all spiritual blessings are in Christ (cf. Eph. 1:3). So we must apply what we read in verse 4 to the church (those in Christ). This is particularly important when we come to words like we see in Eph. 1:4.               Let us examine a few descriptions and promises that Paul recorded. We are chosen! How valuable does the Lord consider the church?  Chosen calls to mind that He sought and selected the bride of Christ. Eklego,  the Greek word that is used, means to pluck out, select, or to choose for oneself. How did He choose us? Simply i