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
Blessed us in Christ ... chose us in Christ ... destined us for adoption through Jesus Christ—all according to the good pleasure of his will. What amazing words for us to hear! That it made God happy to bless us in Christ, to choose us in Christ and to destine us for adoption through Christ. That God wanted to bless us in Christ, choose us in Christ and destine us for adoption through Christ. That it was God's plan to bless us in Christ, choose us in Christ and destine us for adoption through Jesus Christ. In a world that condemns us, rejects us and isolates us in fear, what good news it is to hear that in Christ God is not taking part in such actions. Instead it is God's will that we know we are loved and wanted and made part of a family. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ!
Prayer
What beauty there is, O Lord, in your glorious graciousness. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. So I humbly bow and give you thanks from the bottom of my heart. Amen.