Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 1:3-14 on biblegateway.com
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
When I as a pastor officiate at a baptism and make the mark of the cross on the forehead of a newly baptized child of God, adult or baby, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. In that moment, when the words are spoken, "you have been marked with the cross of Christ forever," a profound truth is proclaimed to the world—this one can no longer be seen as unloved, forgotten, or orphaned. This one can now only be called beloved, re-membered into the Body of Christ, a child of God. Nothing can change this fact.
I am overwhelmed at that moment because I am remembering that this is true of me as well. No matter how many times I fail, I am still loved by God. Every time I feel an outsider in the world or culture that surrounds me, I recall that God remembers me. God has adopted me, not because I have deserved it, but because of the grace that is bestowed on me through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for choosing me to be part of your kingdom. As this year comes to a close and the New Year dawns I know that you have been with me; I know that you are still with me, and you will be with me until you call me home. Amen.