December 2 - Ephesians 1-3
When was the last time you really stopped to count your blessings from being a Christian? Let's take some time this morning to do just that, and let's use this passage as a guide. Paul uses the term "in Christ" or "in Him" several times here and in other books to refer to knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior. All of the blessings he mentions are based on a person accepting Christ personally. I am sure you will find even more than I mention as you read it closely.
In chapter 1 the Bible says that we have every spiritual blessing. (v.3) We can never say we don't have what we need, because God has already set it aside for us. We are adopted into His family as sons, so we are not just slaves to God. (v.5) We have a close relationship with Him. We are redeemed from sin once and for all. (v.7) Jesus paid the price to buy us back from sin and Satan. We have a wonderful inheritance in heaven. (v.11) We know we will have that inheritance, because we have the Holy Spirit as God's down payment. (v.13) God always keeps His promises. (v.14) Aren't these wonderful blessings? Do you live in them each day? I hope you do.
In chapter 2 the Bible goes on to say that we have been made alive in Christ. (v.5) We have real life, not just existence. We have been given access to the spiritual realm of God and His angels through Christ. (v.6) We can go straight to His throne in prayer and worship. We are God's workmanship (piece of art), and He is making us into something beautiful. (v.10) We have been brought together with all believers into one body, the church, so that we have a special unity with other believers. (v.16) We are a part of God's eternal family. Isn't that a great thought?
In chapter 3 the Bible goes on to say that we have the ability to tell Satan and his demons the manifold wisdom of God. (v.10) We have boldness to do God's work, and we have access to God whenever we need to speak to Him, which is all the time. (v.12) Finally, we have the love of Christ, and we are to keep growing in that love until we get to heaven. (v.18,19) Besides our salvation, that is the most wonderful blessing, to know that Jesus loves us and that we can love others with His love. That is what life in this world is all about, loving God and loving others.
What do you think? Are we blessed or what? That is only a small fraction of our blessings as believers, but it is enough to keep us going forever. I pray that you will rest in the goodness and grace of God, and that you will enjoy the blessings of Christ every minute of every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 4-6.
In chapter 1 the Bible says that we have every spiritual blessing. (v.3) We can never say we don't have what we need, because God has already set it aside for us. We are adopted into His family as sons, so we are not just slaves to God. (v.5) We have a close relationship with Him. We are redeemed from sin once and for all. (v.7) Jesus paid the price to buy us back from sin and Satan. We have a wonderful inheritance in heaven. (v.11) We know we will have that inheritance, because we have the Holy Spirit as God's down payment. (v.13) God always keeps His promises. (v.14) Aren't these wonderful blessings? Do you live in them each day? I hope you do.
In chapter 2 the Bible goes on to say that we have been made alive in Christ. (v.5) We have real life, not just existence. We have been given access to the spiritual realm of God and His angels through Christ. (v.6) We can go straight to His throne in prayer and worship. We are God's workmanship (piece of art), and He is making us into something beautiful. (v.10) We have been brought together with all believers into one body, the church, so that we have a special unity with other believers. (v.16) We are a part of God's eternal family. Isn't that a great thought?
In chapter 3 the Bible goes on to say that we have the ability to tell Satan and his demons the manifold wisdom of God. (v.10) We have boldness to do God's work, and we have access to God whenever we need to speak to Him, which is all the time. (v.12) Finally, we have the love of Christ, and we are to keep growing in that love until we get to heaven. (v.18,19) Besides our salvation, that is the most wonderful blessing, to know that Jesus loves us and that we can love others with His love. That is what life in this world is all about, loving God and loving others.
What do you think? Are we blessed or what? That is only a small fraction of our blessings as believers, but it is enough to keep us going forever. I pray that you will rest in the goodness and grace of God, and that you will enjoy the blessings of Christ every minute of every day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ephesians 4-6.