All In with all the Ins

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight  making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ  as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14

In: 1. contained or enclosed by; inside; within; 2. wearing; clothed by. This preposition connotes enveloped, held, secure, inseparable. When we are included in Christ, by His remarkable grace, we can be all in, by faith, to live for and unto Him.

As recipient of every spiritual blessing, we should find them making a daily difference in the way we think, behave, and interact with those around us. We should be living holy, fruitful, blameless lives full of purpose, and glorifying to God. We should be growing in His likeness, abounding with His Spirit, and spreading His love and light. If they are not, and we are not, we should test to see if we are really in Christ. (2 Corinthians 13:5; Colossians 1:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-10)

In Christ, we are blessed, chosen before the foundation of the world, and redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

In the heavenly places, every spiritual blessing that is ours resides and flows.

In love, He predestined us for adoption as His children, to fulfill His perfect will, for the praise of His glory.

In the Beloved, we are blessed.

In all wisdom and insight, He lavishes us with the riches of His grace and makes known the mystery of His will set forth in Christ.

In Him all things will one day be united.

In Him we own an eternal inheritance, and are sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the Guarantee of that inheritance.

If all of these are true about us, and they are if we are in Christ, how are we displaying our hope? Our status as chosen in grace, loved, and redeemed? How are we putting to use our freedom and forgiveness to freely love and forgive others with generous mercy and compassion? How are we intentionally, actively, pursuing God’s purpose and calling?

My Lord, who has given so much to include me in You, may I be all in for You, with all I have, for the honor of Your worth and glory.