"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan." - Ephesians 1:3-11
This passage from Ephesians specifically shows us what we're out here doing. I just thought this would be an incredibly important passage to show you all, especially since sometimes we can forget what this faith is all about.
This is from the first chapter of Ephesians written by Paul, simply encouraging them in the beginning of his letter full of wisdom and knowledge. The very beginning starts with this blessing and thanks to God, as all prayers really should. Then he says something very profound;
"even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes."
How amazing is that!? That is still relevant to our generation today, tomorrow, and forever. He wanted us, He loved us before our ancestors were there. Not only did He love us, He chose us and decided that we were holy in Christ. Now, of course, this is for those who want to accept Christ in their lives and become disciples. Everyone can become lovely in Christ and forgiven if they accept ("there is no other way except through Christ"). Even further continuing through the letter, Paul said that God adopted us into his family, and it gave him pleasure. He is our Father in creation and as a familial father. I'm so thankful for this because he isn't just giving us rules and ways to live by, but it's all because he Loves us, and more importantly, he wants us in his heavenly home forever with him. The next verse is our response:
"So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. "
"So we" shows that we are responding by praising because He loved us first. If we continue to remember how awesome it is that He picked you and me. He planned for me to be where I am, for you to be reading this, and for your friend to maybe be struggling who can be told this by you. He loved us so much he sent His son to die an unbelievable and horrific death so that all of his promises and this love and eternity could be fulfilled to those who accept Christ and follow in His path (See verse 7).
The next section shows us, again, that all of this is to fulfill the connection of you and God for forever:
"10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan."
At the right time: God's timing is everything, and that is something we need to trust. Also, under the authority of Christ because, once again, Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and nobody can get to the Father except through Christ. We are united with Christ: I don't know about you but I would love to be united with the one who died for me. The inheritance that Paul speaks of is glorious eternity in Heaven with Christ, with our Father, that was created for us in the beginning in hopes that we would accept and follow God. Finally, he makes everything work out according to his plan. God is in control always. Open your heart to trust him and follow him and you will be blessed.
What a good passage. I encourage y'all to read the whole of Ephesians, but for now, this is a good start in case you need some encouragement for your faith. Yes, being Christian and true disciples involves persecution and temptation because this is such a harsh and sinful world, however, if you stay connected with your faith and keep pursuing, you'll see such reward as explained here.
Reflection time!
If you are of the faith, when is the last time you told someone you were of the faith?
Think of three things that you are anxious about, or would like to see in your life, and give those ideas and thoughts to God. Pray to him and say, "Lord, this is my heart, please help me be open to your will." Trust his control.
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