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
As a writer Paul was not a Hemingway. The novelist is known for his short sentences. One idea is presented and then he moves to the next. Paul had no such fondness for periods. It is as if, once he began speaking of what God has done for us in Christ, the ideas just kept building upon one another, clause laid upon clause, blessing followed by promise, cycling back to more blessings. How good has God been to us? Even Paul's writing style seems to suggest that there is no bottom to the well of God's mercy.
I imagine by now all the presents exchanged in your circle of family and friends have been opened. You know what you got this Christmas. The kids are playing with the toys (or the boxes). The adults are wearing the clothes, making use of the gifts, or perhaps in some cases quietly exchanging them. What you got, well, it's what you got.
Except for one gift. That is the gift of grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This gift renews itself. Was there a fight in your family this holiday? You can use that grace gift and be reconciled. Did the stress of the Christmas season overwhelm you at times? You can take out the gift of peace and let your spirit be settled. But you can't wear that gift out or use it up. It is renewed by the Giver. The gifts of God this season, and every season, are lavished upon you. Don't put them in the back of some closet in your life. Keep them handy, use them often, and perhaps like Paul you will discover that you cannot find any phrase that completely describes God's love for you.
Prayer
Loving God, remind me always of the spiritual blessings with which you enrich my life. Show me anew what it means to be adopted into your family. Inspire me by the mystery of your will for me, that today I might live for the praise of your glory. This I ask in the name of Jesus, your Son, my brother. Amen.