“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 Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in 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. 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
Paul understands that his calling was divine and tucked into the perfect will of His heavenly Father. He understands that his salvation was wholly by grace for the glory of God. For all this abundance he blesses God the Source. And he wants the saints at Ephesus to know the fullness of His Son, comprehend their spiritual blessings, and realize their eternal purpose to His glory. To this end he writes, teaches, and prays with gratitude and confidence.
In the temporal world with frenzy and business and limits, it is hard to think or see beyond. Demands are urgent, responsibilities stressful, emotions unpredictable, longings fleeting. The palpable and pressing take natural precedence over deeper meanings and eternal purpose. My will trumps God’s will because it is all I understand and can manage by responsibility and agency.
But when we enter Christ’s loving fold by faith, a whole new world of spiritual blessing opens to us, unseen and very real. It is a part of our sanctification to take hold of it. The process of comprehending and apprehending actually fulfills God’s purpose by folding us into His wide and perfect will, causing us to flourish, and prepares us for our future sure inheritance.
Our call is to look and rise up out of the lowlands. Blessed be God who has known us from eternity past and adopted us as His beloved children, destined for Christ-likeness! Would we memorize our lavish riches in Christ from first to last?
How well do we know and avail ourselves of His abounding wealth? How aware of and earnest are we about God’s eternal purpose for our lives? What spiritual blessings guide and guard our days? How are we presently acquiring, enjoying, and implementing possession of our inheritance in Christ?
Oh Lord, You have given so much. Make me a faithful, ever-grateful child who thrives to the praise of Your glory.
As the rain and snow 