June 18, 2023
One of the best paragraphs in Scripture that shows what it means to be a child of God is found in Ephesians 1:3-14. Verse 1 says God our Father has given us EVERY spiritual blessing by way of Jesus Christ. When we trust in Christ as our Savior, God holds nothing back! Everything heaven has to offer has been given to us by God our Father. Verse 4 tells us before God said “Let there be light” he chose us to be perfect and blameless before Him, because He loves us. You might say, “I am not very holy and blameless.” Don’t forget Verse 3, if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are! Verse 5 goes on. Jesus Christ was the firstborn of the Children of God. We are God’s adopted Children. You know what, I’ll take that. According to law, adopted kids get the same stuff and have the same rights as biological kids. Also notice the word “predestined”. God had us in mind before we were even born. Before the foundations of the world, God started the adoption process for us. A startling phrase is found at the end of this verse, “For his purpose, according to the good measure of His will.” God didn’t save us for our sakes. Well, He did, but that is not the ultimate reason, He saved us so that we could give Him the glory and tell others about Him. The phrase “For His purpose”, or some variation of this phrase is found several times in this paragraph. Verse 6 says we are God’s children because of God’s grace and not because of our doings. The fact that we are God’s children at all should prompt us to praise God’s grace and tell others they can receive God grace and be God’s kids too! Verse 7 reminds us it is through the blood of Jesus we are God’s children. Verse 8 informs us God has lavished upon us wisdom and insight. Verses 9-10 teaches God’s will and purpose has always been and always will be carried out thorough Jesus Christ. It is all wrapped up in Him and His work. Notice our key phrase again in Verse 9 “According to His purpose” In Verse 11, Paul tells us that through Jesus Christ, God the Father has given us an inheritance. I won’t be leaving Leandra much, because I don’t have much. But God on the other hand…think about what it means to be an heir of all that God has! Verse 12 goes on with “Who first trusted in Christ (Jewish Christians)”. Once again it was for God’s purpose that these Jews should be saved. Why? Look ahead. Verse 13 gives us the answer. So that they could spread the good news of salvation to the Gentiles (us). Why are we saved? What is God’s purpose for us? It’s not about us. It is so we can tell others about the wonderful, good news of Jesus Christ. Finally, upon our belief and trust in Jesus, we were “Sealed” with the Holy Spirit. The fact that God lives in each of His children seals the deal. Verse 14 shows us the Holy Spirit is the earnest money that holds our inheritance. God is not some unreachable being who sits far removed from everything and everyone. God is Our Father. Our ABBA (Mark 14:36). Jesus called God “Daddy” and we can too! Our Father has chosen us, adopted us, redeemed us, saved us, forgiven us, united us with Him, given us an inheritance, sealed us AND guaranteed our salvation. He has truly given us “Every Spiritual blessing”. What a father! Happy Father’s Day.
Be blessed and go be a blessing . . . Bro Andy
