At a recently completed men’s retreat a few men were kidding each other about only quoting their favorite books of the bible. I was accused of only quoting Romans and Ephesians. Another brother of only referencing Ezekiel 36. It was all in good fun, but it got me to think of how profound these comments really were.
Ezekiel 36 explains the miracle of regeneration by our sovereign God.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
God’s sovereignty is explained.
Ezekiel 36:22 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went”
How often do these two subjects come up when discussing and studying scripture? I dare say, often!
Romans and Ephesians is no different. In Romans we learn about almost every great doctrine in the Word of God.
- God’s wrath against sin (Romans 1)
- The condemnation of the Law (Romans 2)
- All have sinned (Romans 3)
- Justification by faith alone (Romans 3-5)
- The believer’s victory in Christ (Romans 8 )
- Divine election (Romans 9)
- The universal call of the gospel (Romans 10)
I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Ephesians is similar.
- Divine election (Ephesians 1)
- Sovereignty of God (Ephesians 1)
- The believer’s inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1)
- Regeneration (Ephesians 2)
- Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2)
- Good works (Ephesians 2)
- Sanctified living (Ephesians 4)
There is much more that I can list, but hopefully you see the treasure that dwells even in small portions of scripture.
We gladly proclaim the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Part of that counsel is to understand the totality of scripture. Paul wrote:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Don’t be in a hurry to skim through a passage. Let it dwell in your richly (Colossians 3:16). There is so much there.
Bill Brown
