Article for July 14, 2024
Ephesians 1:3–4a 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, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
We at times wonder what death is. Death to some is that we as a person no longer exist. To Aristotle we all meld into the spirit of the universe. If you believe that you no longer exist there is no hope, for as soon as your eyes close nothing exists. If you hang on to Aristotle’s idea, then at best you might become cosmic dust, a mere thought lost in an array of many thoughts. But if you believe in Jesus Christ then you know death only comes to the unbeliever.
Death is going to bottomless pit of a tortured existence forever and ever. This is a choice that some will make for themselves as they chose not to believe in our creator, or Jesus Christ our savior, or that Jesus died for our sins. Again, those who do not believe also have no hope. Death is for the bleak and wicked unbeliever.
However, we believe that God created the heavens and the earth. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus is the Christ who died on a cross for our sins. Not only did Jesus die for our sins but He died because of our sins. It was sin that nailed Him to the cross, and sin that pierced our Christ in the side. Yes, we believe this, and it is our banner for life.
Ephesians 1:4b–6 In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Jesus the Beloved on the cross predestined sinner saints, that is those who believe in Him, to be adopted into being the children of God. This is the “will” of our God, that we are saved from our own sinful ways. Not that we stop sinning but that we believe that Christ Jesus died and took the punishment of death and defeated it, and in heaven sin is abolished.
This is a glorious mercy, that Jesus took away from us the very thing we deserve as we are sinners. And this is glorious grace, that Jesus now gives us what we do not deserve, and that is eternal life with Him. We have much to be grateful for, that we have a Savior, a God, who cares and loves us to eternal life. This is a guarantee of not just salvation of life but salvation of God’s love forever and ever.
Ephesians 1:7–10 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Jesus walked a path of suffering through beatings and severe humiliation. Though none of what Jesus went through provoked Him to fight back. Jesus could have fought back, but refrained from it taking on His true human form to suffer as we would suffer. Jesus put all His faith in God the Father who sent His only begotten Son into the fray of our sin.
This is grace in action as Jesus suffered greatly and even more being nailed to our cross. I say our cross for it is our cross that Jesus carried, whether you believe or not. Jesus carried the cross of everyone’s sin. Not that He had to but that He wanted to. Jesus did this for the “will” of God His father and our Father in heaven.
Now this death on the cross was to unite all believers with Him. We come to church to unite under God. We call each other brothers and sisters in Christ, and rightly so as we were all adopted at the same time, that is when Jesus said forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.
Ephesians 1:11–12 11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Now we have an inheritance which is predestined through the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a gift that says we are indeed the brothers and sisters of Christ Jesus. Though we are adopted we share with Jesus the full inheritance of eternal life. Again, I remind you, this is the “will” of God to give us this gift though we are not worthy of it, God freely gives to us His “will” through forgiveness bought by His grace and mercy.
Ephesians 1:13–14 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
We hear, learn and digest God’s word, His gospel, and believe in all that Jesus Christ has done for us. Not to earn our way, but to learn our way which is Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. Amen.
Written by Curtis A. May
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