Ephesians Quotes

“If we think we are saved, but we are not different--our language and desires haven’t changed, we don’t desire the Word of God or want to worship God and know him better, and we still live in sin and enjoy it--then maybe we are not really elected. In 2 Peter 1:5-10, we are commanded to make our election sure by growing in godliness.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Positively it is ‘to be holy’ — that is, set apart from the world, separate, different. And negatively it is to be ‘blameless’ — literally, without spot or blemish, a sacrifice to be presented to God.”[28] God elected us to be separate from the world. We must be different. He also elected us to be pure and righteous before him. Believers were elected for the purpose of sanctification—to become more like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Now, what is the purpose of election? Ephesians 1:4 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” God elected us so we could be holy and blameless; he elected us for sanctification. ”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“First Corinthians 2:14 says, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Apart from the Holy Spirit, we cannot accept or even understand the Word of God.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Romans 3:10-11 says, “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.” Sin affects man in such a way that he will not seek God. He will not come after him. God had to take the initiative. Christ came to seek and to save those who were lost (Luke 19:10). We cannot seek him and couldn’t find him if we did—we are lost.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Romans 8:7 says, “the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.” The natural mind cannot submit to God’s will. It is at enmity with God.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Even though many boast in free will, the reality is that sin makes us a slave. And as slaves, we need someone to redeem us, to set us free. Consider what Paul says about man’s condition because of sin.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church

“Scripture teaches that because of his sin, man cannot choose God, apart from grace.”
― Gregory Brown, Ephesians: Understanding God's Purpose for the Church