Ephesians 1:3-6 [c]Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, 4 just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love
Ephesians 1:3-8 Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation to himself. Bible Hub
God has blessed us in heavenly places through Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). Grace is a part of the blessing. So if we follow Jesus Christ, we can rest in the fact that he chose us. And in choosing us, he has given us a purpose. We’re given good works to walk in (Ephesians 2:10) and a measure of grace to accomplish those good works (Ephesians 4:7). Even the works that we’ve been called to do have been chosen for us. It’s our job to get on the clock and go to work.
Let’s make an effort to clock in with Jesus wherever we find ourselves. Let’s remind ourselves that we are here to do the good works he planned for us to do before time began. We can trust that if we meet God, God will meet us and put us to work among the very people he chose for us to impact.
The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. Bible Hub
Reflections: It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all its hatefulness, and how it deserves vengeance. The believer’s actions, as well as his words, declare the praises of Divine mercy. Bible Hub
Prayer: Father, I renounce the “Law” I’ve created for myself. I say to You now, I want to turn my back on that way of living—living as a slave. But I need your help. So, connect me back to You, unleash grace into my life, and teach me how to find my self-worth in You, in my relationship with You, rather than in the things of this world. This is hard, Father. I need your help to let go of these things. I’m not sure I know how to live as a son, as a daughter, practically—but I trust that You can and will show me how. So, keep me close and let’s begin. Thank you, Father. I love You. Amen
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