Ephesians 1:1-23
Thursday, 8 July 2021
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” -Ephesians1:3
Riches in Christ!—the highlight of our Scripture today! Paul opens up to us a treasure chest of all the spiritual blessing the believer has in Christ. The first part of Ephesians 1(1-14) is praise to God for the blessing and the next part (15-23) is a prayer to God to enlighten our minds to understand the great riches that are ours. On careful reading we notice the phrase: “in Him” which is used 9 times in this section and 27 times in the entire book! That speaks of our position in God’s big family through the saving work of Christ Jesus!
Let us look at the privileges of being IN CHRIST in the text:
Chosen in Him
Before the foundation of the world He chose us to be set apart for Him! God’s purpose concerning us is to be a holy and blameless people. – “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."(1Pet.1:15-16). With the privilege of being chosen comes the responsibility of being set apart for Him!
Accepted in Him
We were once enemies with God because of our sin; but God has now accepted us in Christ! “But, now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” (Eph.2:13-14).
Redeemed in Him
We were enslaved by sin, The price Christ paid to ransom us, is His own precious blood! “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1Peter1:18-19).
Inheritance in Him
As a child of God we have received the privilege of His inheritance, not by any of our works but by His grace. As a man of God said of GRACE: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!! “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Our seal of ownership in Christ is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit— one of the greatest gifts God has given to us through Jesus Christ. “Therefore do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Eph.4:30)
In Christ- that’s the key! In Christ we have been chosen- its God’s choice of us- not ours. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you...” (John 15:16). Being chosen and bestowed with such blessing in Christ, how would you respond? Would we take time to understand the extent of His love and kindness towards us and respond in giving all of ourselves, so that we will be “all the more eager to make our calling and election sure” (2Peter 1:10)?
PRAY: “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe …” (Eph.1:17-19)