Page 9 - Ephesians

Sometimes it’s called “Union Life”. I know a group from the mid-
west who call themselves “Union Lifer’s”. They’ve entered into a
wonderful truth of God and decided to label it. “Are you a
Christian?” “Yes.” “Are you a Union Lifer?” “I don’t know.
What’s a Union Lifer? I know I’m a Christian but I’m not sure if I’m
a Union Lifer. Do you have the deeper life?”

Some people call it the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”. “Did you
receive Christ?” “Yes, I know I’ve been saved.” “Have you been
baptized with the Holy Spirit?” “I guess so. I think so. I don’t
know.” They present it in such a way as if there was something
else in addition to Christ. The Bible teaches consistently
throughout, and I don’t have to clear my throat when I say it, every
Christian is a multi-billionaire in Christ. I’m not exempt from this
snare of throwing titles around. I like the word “remnant”. I like
the word “the great congregation” but I also know that can infer
something that is very wrong and very false. Some people get the
idea, “I’m in the family of God but am I in the remnant? Am I in
that special little group?” There is no special little group! There’s
many ways to convey the false idea that some Christians are rich
and others are not. But the Bible doesn’t teach that. It’s for all of
God’s children. Ephesians knocks those false ideas in the head.

I used to teach this, that all Christians have life but not all
Christians have abundant life. I don’t teach that anymore; for this
reason; life is a Person! He said, “I am the Life.” All Christians
have life because Life is a Person. It’s Christ and all Christians
have Christ. Abundant life is also a Person. It’s Christ. God
doesn’t give you Christ and something else called “Abundant Life”.
He only gives you Christ.

Of course, you’re going to say, “Wait a minute. I know there’s a
difference.” Yes there is a difference between having riches and
enjoying those riches. Between entering into those riches and
spending those riches. I’m saying Ephesians tells us that we all
have it. I’m not saying that we all spend it. Or that we’re all
entering into it or enjoying it. Not all Christians are appropriating
what God has given. In our study of Ephesians God wants to