Post by foxjj on Aug 4, 2023 16:08:55 GMT
Ephesians Chapter 1:1-14 (NIV)
Ephesus was a major city in what was then known as Asia Minor, now Turkey. It was on a major trade route and had a harbor making it a cosmopolitan city with its temple of the Roman goddess Dianna also known by the Greek name Artemis.
Paul ministered there for three years. He wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome.
According to Paul, very born again believer in Jesus Christ is uniquely blessed because, our Heavenly Father chose them in Jesus before the foundation of the world:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
These verses teach that God knew each believer, not only before we were born, but even before the world was formed. What an incredible thought; God knew you and I before the beginning of time. The opening of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is similar to the opening of the first letter of Peter where he writes that the Father has given each believer "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” - 1 Peter 1:3.
Paul continues by emphasizing the importance of God’s Grace offered to sinners which is fulfilled through the sacrifice of Jesus:
“ 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
Paul now teaches concerning the blessing of been chosen:
“11 In 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Have you experienced the new birth of which Paul refers in his letters? The answer to this question will affect the way in which you live out your life. God knew you before you were born, knew, that when challenged with the message of the Gospel, you would either accept, or reject Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We who have accepted, and therefore experienced the new birth, live life with a sense of peace, knowing that we have been forgiven.
Today, let us give thanks for The Lord’s Gift of Salvation.
John Joseph Fox
Ephesus was a major city in what was then known as Asia Minor, now Turkey. It was on a major trade route and had a harbor making it a cosmopolitan city with its temple of the Roman goddess Dianna also known by the Greek name Artemis.
Paul ministered there for three years. He wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome.
According to Paul, very born again believer in Jesus Christ is uniquely blessed because, our Heavenly Father chose them in Jesus before the foundation of the world:
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
These verses teach that God knew each believer, not only before we were born, but even before the world was formed. What an incredible thought; God knew you and I before the beginning of time. The opening of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is similar to the opening of the first letter of Peter where he writes that the Father has given each believer "a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” - 1 Peter 1:3.
Paul continues by emphasizing the importance of God’s Grace offered to sinners which is fulfilled through the sacrifice of Jesus:
“ 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
Paul now teaches concerning the blessing of been chosen:
“11 In 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Have you experienced the new birth of which Paul refers in his letters? The answer to this question will affect the way in which you live out your life. God knew you before you were born, knew, that when challenged with the message of the Gospel, you would either accept, or reject Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We who have accepted, and therefore experienced the new birth, live life with a sense of peace, knowing that we have been forgiven.
Today, let us give thanks for The Lord’s Gift of Salvation.
John Joseph Fox
