Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)
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Verse 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Verse 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. Verse 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, Verse 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Verse 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace Verse 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight Verse 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, Verse 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Verse 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, Verse 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. Verse 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; Verse 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
Devotion
A pair of silver candlesticks. The family cabin. Freckles. Our ancestors pass on any number of meaningful things to us.
In this beautiful passage from Ephesians, Paul names some of the invaluable things we have inherited in Christ: the assurance of love and forgiveness, a sense of purpose, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. These things draw us closer to God. They remind us that we are part of God’s family. We are tied to the saints who have gone before us. Through their legacy, our faith has been shaped along the way.
Think of those things you have inherited from your spiritual ancestors. Perhaps it’s a well-worn family Bible. Memories of reading the Christmas story around the fire. Knowing that Grandma prayed for you every night. Through these things the Holy Spirit has communicated the “gospel of your salvation” (v. 13).
What have you inherited that has shaped your faith? And, just as importantly, what are you passing on to those who believers will come after you?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to value the precious gifts you pass on. And thank you for my ancestors in the faith who have shown me your love. Amen.