Always Remember

The New Testament continues with the book of Ephesians, again written by Paul around 62 A.D. It mainly focuses on love, unity, and God's redemptive works. The major themes found through the book are a) that Christ has reconciled all things to Him, and b) that Christ unites all nations to Him.

The first chapter beings with a great summary of everything we are to be reminded of, things we should always have at the forefront of our minds.

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realmswith every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. - Ephesians 1:3-10

Although that seems like a big chunk of text, if you take it slow you can see what Paul is getting at exactly. He first talks about our blessings from Christ (v.3). We've been given everything we have, and nothing we own is really ours or is earned by us. God granted us this bountiful life, exactly as we have it, no more no less. Secondly, we are predestined to be adopted into his family (v.5). We were all knit in the womb by the creator himself, and we are made in his image. We were made to worship and be one with the Lord. He is always waiting for you to run back to Him, into his arms to call him Father. He will watch and provide for you and me. We've been redeemed through his blood (v.7). It is by Jesus' blood we are saved, it was an act of love and grace, something we did not deserve, yet were still given. Do you accept and believe that someone did that for you?

Not only were we predestined to be adopted, but since the beginning God has made a plan for you. A beautiful life filled with experiences and opportunities to glorify his name and bring yourself satisfaction. But the question is whether or not you will choose to follow it. God has also given us the gift of free will and we can always decide to go with our selfish ways. May we "pray so that our eyes be enlightened in order that [we] may know the hope to which he has called [us], the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (v.18-19).

Let us be reminded of who we were made for and what we are called to do with our lives. Not for self pleasure or praise but for God's name to be glorified.

verse of the day: Ephesians 1:22-23

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.