3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14
1:3-6: The work of the Father:
Every: God doesn’t hold back His blessings to those He chose. God is good and generous. That’s His nature.
Spiritual: What kind of blessings? SPIRITUAL. Not that we won’t receive blessings in materials but spiritual blessings are far more precious, which include the adoption as sons and the vast inheritance of God! It’s really too big for our brains to process.
In Christ: Where are the blessings? In Christ and only in Christ! There are no spiritual blessings apart from our Lord!
1:7-12: The Work of the Son
All wisdom: Was salvation difficult? Of course, nothing is too difficult for God but even God has to “spend” some wisdom in the redemption plan and you know what’s more difficult? To make us known His mystery.
According to the counsel of his will (According to His good pleasure): Jesus didn’t drag his feet to Earth. He gladly came because He knows what that will bring to His people. Think of how new parents prepare for their newborn before the child is born. That’s Jesus’ heart
1: 13-14 The work of the Holy Spirit
As if the amazing works of the Father and the Son aren’t enough, the Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal of promise. This seal marks those belonging to Him and also guaranteed our inheritance.
There are so many in this chapter to be unpacked. Hope you can come back to it later in the day. Maybe during lunchtime or off work… to revisit them.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for all the spiritual blessings you bestow on us. Who are we to be chosen? Who are we to be adopted sons and daughters? Who are we to receive Your inheritance? Thank you and all I want to say is thank you! Amen!
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 