Readings for today: Ephesians 1-4
Blessed. Chosen. Predestined in love. Adopted. Redeemed. Forgiven. Heirs of grace. Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Saved to serve as the praise of God’s glory. These are just some of the promises listed in the first chapter of the Book of Ephesians. In the Greek, it’s one long run-on sentence. Paul essentially tosses all the rules of grammar out the window as he seeks to express the sheer immensity of what God has done. His words literally trip all over themselves as he rushes to explain the riches of God’s grace towards us. It’s a chapter to read slowly, savoring each word. It’s a chapter to read reflectively, thinking through the meaning of each phrase. It’s a chapter to marinate in especially if you are struggling with doubts and questions about your faith.
Paul wants his Ephesian friends to know they are the object of God’s eternal love. Way back before time began, God hatched a plan to save them. Way back before creation came into being, God was already in love with the creature He made in His own image. He had already purposed us to be the object of His amazing grace. He had already chosen us to be the recipients of His divine favor and blessing. He had already made a decision to adopt us into His own family. It’s truly mind-blowing when you stop and think about it.
Not only did God set His heart on us, He came to save us. He sent His only Son to die for us. He poured out His Spirit to seal us for the day of salvation. He is at work inside us bringing to completion the good work He’s begun. He’s preparing us to live with Him for all eternity. He’s getting us ready for the day when the old heavens and old earth pass away and the new heavens and new earth spring into being. When the veil of this world is pulled back and we finally see His glory and the glory of His Kingdom descend out of heaven itself. On that day, we shall receive the reward He has stored up for us. On that day, we shall receive the inheritance He has prepared for us. On that day, all hurts will be healed and all tears will be wiped away and evil will cease to exist.
Christians are called to live in such a way as to give the world a foretaste of that heavenly reality. As Paul says here in Ephesians 1:12, “We who were the first to hope in Christ are to live to the praise of His glory.” We are to give the world a glimpse of heaven in the way we live and the way we love and the way we serve.
Readings for tomorrow: Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3