READING: Ephesians 1-4
“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3
It’s hard to read the first part of Ephesians and not be humbled by all that God has done for us in Christ. I realize this approach to these devotions is different, but read through this list from chapters 1-2, and note the highlighted parts. Let the Word of God settle in your heart as you read. Be humbled . . .
Ephesians 1
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
Ephesians 2
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.. . .
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Central to this story is Christ, who made all these things possible. Indeed, it is “in Christ,” “in him,” “through Jesus Christ,” “with Christ,” “with him,” and “in Christ Jesus” that any of this happens. Thus, we cannot boast at all, for it’s not about us. It never has been.
ACTION STEPS:
- Review the verses above, and thank God for all that He has done for you.
- Praise Him for His grace toward us.
PRAYER: “God, help me to know Your love that surpasses knowledge.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3