“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
As a brilliant orator grappling with the divine, Paul embarks on describing the ‘every’ of a believer’s blessings in Christ. His goal is to instruct, remind, and fortify the church in both her position and possession in order to magnify her profession in word and deed, and ultimately bring glory to God. What God had determined from the beginning and was presently true was their substance of blessedness and hope into the future.
For children of God, plumbing the depths of the infinite is a lifelong endeavor to comprehend and employ. Chosen from the foundation of the world to be adopted as His sons? We need never be insecure in our identity. To be holy and blameless? We have purpose and a goal. Every spiritual blessing? Lavish riches of grace? Whatever we think we need, we actually want for nothing. Held and guided by the one who works all things according to the counsel of his will? Weary, confused, or overwhelmed, we can trust His good keeping and plan. Sealed in salvation with the Holy Spirit? We can rest assured of present power, comfort, and inspiration, as well as delight in the Savior’s presence forever.
Where do we struggle with our finite limitations and allow frustrations to discourage us? Could we rather meditate on the infinite, and allow the Lord to encourage us with new insights and deeper understanding of His plans and ways? In what areas do we feel inept, lacking, or despairing? Which promises, which part of every spiritual blessing will we take for our own this day? If we would bow before our gracious Lord, and seek to fathom the facets of the every and all of the riches He bestows, we would never faint nor fail.
Infinite Lord, give me the will and desire to comprehend and employ the depth of my riches in Christ, for your glory.
As the rain and snow 