GOD CHOSE US—IN CHRIST
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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. ...
Ephesians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Earlier this year, my wife and I flew from GSP to Fort Lauderdale for a vacation. Before anyone boarded, the plane's destination had already been determined. Everyone who got on that plane was headed to the same place.
Ephesians 1 has sparked discussion among godly Christians for centuries. Words like chosen, elected and predestined have often become the focus of debate. But Paul's main purpose is not to settle every theological question. Paul's purpose is to assure believers that God's plan of salvation began long before we were ever born and that everyone who is in Christ has every spiritual blessing God has prepared.
Before the foundation of the world, God determined that all who are in Christ would be His holy and blameless people. I don't believe Paul is saying God arbitrarily chooses some for heaven and others for hell. Rather, he was encouraging the Christians in Ephesus that because they were in Christ,_ their future was secure.
Think of Christ as the airplane. Everyone who boards the plane arrives at its predetermined destination. In the same way, everyone who is in Christ will receive every spiritual blessing God has promised. God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He graciously invites everyone to trust Christ. The question is whether we'll accept His invitation and place our faith in Him.
What an incredible assurance. If you belong to Christ, you already possess every spiritual blessing you need, and one day you'll enjoy them fully for all eternity.
Application: Take a moment to thank God that He took the initiative to provide salvation long before you knew you needed it. List some of the spiritual blessings you've received and thank God for each one.
Prayer: Lord, I'm amazed that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son to die for me. Help me live each day with gratitude, humility and faithfulness as I abide in You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?