DAY 2 Blessed in Christ - Ephesians 1:3–14

1. SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:3–14
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.

11 In 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
 
2. OBSERVATIONS :
- What does this passage reveal about God?

• Each person of the Godhead is mutually involved in our salvation/redemption. In love, we were chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and blessed with every spiritual blessing by the Father. He has done this in and through His Son, Jesus. When we believed in the good news about who Jesus is and what he has done for us, the Holy Spirit was given to us as a “seal”. This means that the Holy Spirit in us is the mark of authentication that we have been adopted by God and belong to him.  The Holy Spirit in us is God’s guarantee we belong to him know and will have a future inheritance that is guaranteed to us.

• All of these blessings which are ours through faith in Christ, were part of God’s eternal plan, purpose, and will.  God has been faithful to his promise! No one can take away what God has planned for us.

c. What does this passage reveal about people?

•  Those of us who have been blessed with all these amazing blessings  - blessings we have not earned but are ours by the grace of God - should respond by giving praise to God. These blessings were given to us with the intent that the result would “to the praise of his glory”!

• Salvation comes by hearing the word truth, the gospel and believing in it. When we believe we receive the person of the Holy Spirit. His presence authenticates us as children of God.

 3. APPLICATION: What does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?
1. Attitudes — As I think about all that God has done for me, it makes me realize how blessed I am. That  gives me reason to have a positive attitude towards my status and circumstances, even when other factors tempt me to complain.

2. Affections — All of God’s blessings cultivate a love in my heart towards God. This love is “appreciation love”. As I meditate on the fact that I did not deserve the status of being a child of God, of being adopted. When I meditate on the fact that I have been redeemed and forgiven only by God’s grace, I can’t help but feel an appreciation love towards God.

3. Actions — I will give God the praise he deserves avery day. I will choose to thank him and praise him no matter the circumstance because my earthly circumstances don’t change any of the blessings I have in Christ.

4. PRAYER:
Father, thank you for blessing me with every spiritual blessing. Thank you Jesus for giving your life as the sacrifice that made the gift of these blessings possible. Thank you Holy Spirit for your presence which reminds me that I belong to Jesus and the fulness of God’s presence awaits me in eternity!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.