“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 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…
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places…”
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 1:3-4,11-12,15-20; 2:10
Paul is methodical in thought, and his teaching follows biblical logic. As God’s children, we own every spiritual blessing. We have been chosen in love, predestined for adoption, and redeemed to be holy and blameless. God is working all things in our lives according to the counsel of His will, so that we might live here on earth to the praise of His eternal glory. So because these things are true, he prays that we embrace them, and get on with life in Christ with the Spirit of wisdom and enlightenment He gives according to His call.
We have access to the riches of our glorious eternal inheritance in the here and now. We have in us the immeasurable power of Christ’s resurrection, and carry His victory for every battle faced. We have been granted the gift of faith, by which we were saved and which continues to grow as we exercise it. We are secure in the confines of His perfect will in which He has created good works for us to do. So how energetically are we walking? In what practical ways are we fulfilling the works He has planned for us? (Ephesians 2:8-9)
In order to obey step by step, we must know God’s path. What are we doing to be skilled in the word and practiced in discernment? Have we a companion alongside whom we pray with diligence, and practice faithfulness in accomplishing what God assigns? How familiar are we with the gifts He’s entrusted to us particularly, and are we seizing the opportunities He provides to use them? There is nothing more fulfilling to us, and glorifying to our Father, than that we perform His assigned duties to further His kingdom and exalt His goodness. (Psalm 32:8; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Hebrews 4:12; 5:13-14)
Lord, make me wise to know and faithful to fulfill my heavenly calling. May I so bless and praise Your wondrous name.
As the rain and snow 