4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:4-14
Introduction
- From our previous lesson, we learned that the “theme” of Ephesians is “The Believer’s Riches in Christ”
- After a brief salutations, Paul immediately begins in 1:3 by praising God for the blessings (or riches) we have in Christ.
- Recall the story of Hetty Green, remind them of the enormity of the blessings available to us as Christians and co-inheritors with Christ.
- This week we focus on the spiritual possessions that mentioned in the passage.
1. Selected by God (v. 4-6)
- We are chosen by God before the foundation of the world
- We were selected, picked out, and chosen by God before the world was ever created.
- Read 1 Peter 1:20
- Christ Himself was selected in this way; He was foreordained “before the creation of the world
- God’s goal was to produce a people in Christ Jesus who would be “holy and without blame before Him in love”
- holy – set apart for a special purpose
- without blame – free from condemnation
- in love – walking before God in a “sphere” of love (Read Ephesians 5:1-2)
- Because we have been chosen and predestined by God, we are also then lovingly accepted by God
- It also means to be highly favoured, to peruse with grace, compass with favour, and to be honoured with blessings.
- It is by our being “in Christ” that we are privileged to be highly favoured by God, and showered with the wonderful blessings.
What should our reaction be to the fact that God chose and accepted us? Furthermore, what do you think when you consider the fact that He is giving this favour to us who are sinners?
2. Set free by Christ (v. 7-12)
- God has redeemed us through Christ’s blood.
- It means “a releasing or deliverance effected by payment of ransom”
- This redemption implies an emancipation from guilt, punishment, and power of sin, and a restoration to true liberty.
- With the shedding of Jesus’ blood, it is now possible to be forgiven or pardoned so that we no longer guilty of or imprisoned by sin.
- Our sins are let go as if they have never been committed.
- This is what makes us “holy and without blame”
- The basis for both the forgiveness and the redemption is God’s wisdom, prudence, and grace.
- His wisdom is often beyond the capability of man to find out on his own.
- Prudence means mental action or activity, or intellectual and moral insight
- God put much thought in choosing to show His grace towards us
- Through His Son, God has also revealed His will to us, which is what He planned to accomplish in Jesus Christ.
- God’s plan was to gather in one all things in Christ, reconciling or gathering together all things under God.
- Through His Son, God has given us an inheritance.
What is the practical manifestation of the wonderful redemption, the forgiveness of sins, that is afforded to you by the blood of Jesus? How do you experience this in your daily life?
3. Secured by the Spirit (v. 13-14)
- The Holy Spirit is our “seal”, bearing witness that we are children of God, and is considered evidence that are truly Christ’s.
- A seal in the literal sense of the word, determines the genuine character of a document, or figuratively, of a person.
- It also marks ownership and protects against tampering or harm.
- We are sealed with the Holy Spirit after we hear the Word of Truth, believe in it, and become a child of God (i.e. baptism as a believer).
- With belief should come obedience and a willingness to follow the Word.
- The Holy Spirit is also our guarantee of what God has prepared for us, as a foretaste of the glory that will one day be ours.
- It is a free taste/free sample, a deposit, of what God has in store for us.
- Until the day of the final redemption, the Holy Spirit serves as a guarantee that one day God will claim those who are truly His.
Knowing then that the Holy Spirit is our seal and guarantee, what can you do to ensure that you don’t “break” this seal and have the Holy Spirit within you always?
Challenge #1
Have you read the entire Book of Ephesians yet? Do so in the following week in order understand the spiritual blessings of Christ even better, and straight from the Word of God.
Challenge #2
Share the spiritual gifts that you have reflected over and prayed for from the lesson last week.