Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians 1:11-14

In Him we were also being chosen – after being determined ahead of time – according to the purpose of the ones who works in all things according to the counsel of His will in order that we should be into the praise of His glory that has been hoped beforehand in Christ.  In whom – after hearing the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him – you all were being sealed by the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the initial payment of our inheritance, into a redemption of our possession into the praise of His glory.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we hear Paul speak about how all of God’s work was determined beforehand.  This isn’t meant in a predestination way of speaking.  Rather, it is meant to illustrate the greatness of God.  God knew how to handle sin before it ever happened.  God knew how to restore the world before it needed restoring.  This is how incredibly powerful God is.  We cannot mess up God’s plan.  God already knows how to redeem even our worst influences upon His creation!

Why is it neat to realize that God had a plan for saving the world before it ever got messed up?  What does this say about God?  How can this inspire your worship of Him?

Second Thought:

I love Ephesians 1:13-14.  For me, Paul clearly lays out how we as human beings come into salvation.  The Word – the Gospel of our salvation – is proclaimed to us.  We believe.  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the first payment – sometimes called the first fruits – of our salvation.  The Holy Spirit is evidence of our salvation.  He is the guarantee that God is with us and our relationship with God is restored.  The Holy Spirit is the evidence that we need that God’s promise of salvation has indeed come to us.

Is the Holy Spirit a part of your life?  How do you know?  What impact has God’s initial payment into your life had?

Third Thought:

The last words of this section are easy to miss.  What is the end goal of Christ?  Is it our salvation?  No, actually.  It isn’t.  The end goal is that through our salvation God’s glory is praised.  Many people think that our salvation is the goal of our faith.  Many people think that the biggest point of Christianity is that I can live with God forever.  While that’s pretty important, it isn’t the biggest point.  The biggest point isn’t about me.  The biggest point is that God is praised.  It’s about God and His glory.  Amen.

So what is your faith about?  Is your faith about avoiding Hell?  Is your faith about having eternal life?  Or is your faith most about God being praised?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:15-18