It Starts Small

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. ⁵ He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

Ephesians 1:3-10

The big idea of the passage

Ephesians 1:3-14 stands as a breathtaking declaration in the Bible. It illuminates our incredible position in Christ and His boundless love for us. This passage overflows with profound theological truths, each one bursting with transformative implications for our lives. Paul dedicates the majority of the first three chapters in Ephesians to unveiling these vital spiritual revelations. In the closing chapters, he fervently emphasizes our call. We are to embody these truths in our everyday lives as believers.

When you feel discouraged or useless, read this powerful passage. Let its wisdom immerse you. God’s promises are not just words. They are profound reminders of truth. These reminders can uplift your spirit, fortify your soul, and ignite your courage in moments of uncertainty. Together, we will passionately explore the spiritual principles embedded in this passage, illuminating each one with clarity.

Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing

Every magnificent blessing that God holds in His divine “arsenal” has been lavishly poured into our lives! It’s vital to recognize how Paul emphasizes “spiritual” blessings above all else. However, in today’s modern churches, there’s an overwhelming focus on mere physical blessings. The allure of health and wealth takes center stage, while the prosperity gospel surges in popularity across the globe. Proponents fervently proclaim that God desires His followers to thrive in both health and immense riches.

Focus is placed on physical healing instead of the profound truths of the gospel, sin, justification, and sanctification. This kind of teaching is perilous. It lures believers into a false sense of hope. They are led to believe that God will unfailingly heal. When He, in His infinite wisdom and perfect reasons, chooses otherwise, the disillusionment can drive people away from Him. Even in the moments of healing, the emphasis shifts to miracles, overshadowing the true essence of faith—Jesus Himself.

The prosperity gospel stands as a troubling doctrine that finds no foundation in the Bible. Instead, the Scriptures resound with the truth: God graciously blesses us with every spiritual gift imaginable! We receive forgiveness that sets us free. Peace calms our souls. Redemption transforms our lives, and grace floods our hearts. Mercy renews us, and love uplifts us. Sanctification purifies us, and answered prayers fill our spirits with hope. There is so much more! God’s generosity knows no bounds; He longs to pour out what is best for us, overflowing with His divine blessings!

Thoughts to Ponder: When you are discouraged, take some time. Sit down in a quiet place. Reflect on God’s blessings in your life. List out those blessings one by one. Write them down on paper. As you begin to remember God’s blessings, it will encourage you and begin to change your outlook.

He chose us before the foundation of the world

Here is one of the most profound passages in the Bible regarding the glorious doctrine of election. This remarkable teaching reveals that God, in His infinite wisdom and love, predestined the elect to salvation. He did this long before the foundation of the world was laid. He chose us before we ever drew breath. This makes it crystal clear that our salvation is not earned through our own merit or good deeds. It is solely by His divine choice, boundless grace, and unstoppable power that our salvation has been achieved!

God’s election of believers is intricately woven with our personal responsibility! Throughout the Bible, we see the urgent call for individuals to respond to God’s invitation. We are urged to wholeheartedly place our faith in Him. Time and time again, Scripture fervently urges us to “believe” and to “repent.” Each one of us bears the profound responsibility for how we respond to the life-changing message of the gospel. We are compelled to embrace God’s magnificent offer of salvation, to accept His immeasurable free gift. Let it be known, this response is not born out of our righteousness. It is only possible because of His divine work within us. His work ignites our hearts and transforms our lives!

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Throughout the Bible, the profound tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility is vividly illustrated. They resemble two sides of a singular, divine coin. It is a captivating paradox! The church’s landscape has been scarred by countless divisions. Fervent debates have been fueled by disagreements on this very issue. We must fiercely embrace Paul’s powerful instruction in Ephesians 4 to be “diligent to maintain the unity!” Yes, some dimensions of God’s sovereignty and humanity’s responsibility and their intricate interplay can be perplexing. We must dive deeply into God’s Word and cultivate unwavering convictions. However, we should ensure that this passionate pursuit never leads us down the dark path of division. We must avoid animosity towards our fellow believers.

A person once declared that the door to heaven bears a profound inscription. On our side of this sacred entrance, it proclaims, “Your choice.” Yet, on the other side, it boldly states, “Elected by God.” We should not attempt to divide these two powerful Scriptural truths. Let us passionately embrace them both. We must hold them in vibrant tension and acknowledge the vital significance of each!

Thoughts to Ponder: If you are saved, rejoice! God has chosen you! You are enveloped in His boundless love and unwavering security. He will never abandon you or turn His back on you. Recognize that this magnificent work is not of your own doing; therefore, let humility fill your heart. Pour out your gratitude and praise to Him! He has ignited this extraordinary journey in your life. Place your absolute trust in Him. It is not your strength but His that will see you through to completion.

⁶ I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Adopted as His children

Adoption—it is one of the most exhilarating and heart-stirring truths found in the Bible! Our holy, eternal, all-powerful, all-loving God has chosen to adopt us as His beloved sons and daughters. Once, we were His enemies, lost in our poverty, sinfulness, and wretchedness. But His love transcends all expectations! He loves us. He accepts us. He sweeps us into His embrace and adopts us into His family. He grants us all the rights and blessings that belong to His cherished children. This extraordinary act means we have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! With Him as our Father, we can approach Him at any moment with any request. We find comfort and strength in His unyielding presence.

More than just a promise, we hold fast to the undeniable truth that He will never forsake us. He is our unwavering protector, our divine teacher, and His faithfulness and love for us transcend all our actions. Verse 5 boldly proclaims that He did this “according to the purpose of His will.” Here we witness the powerful principle of sovereign election in action. He chose us, and that is nothing short of extraordinary!

Thoughts to Ponder: When was the last time you expressed your gratitude to Him for embracing you as His own? What profound responsibilities does an adopted child carry in their heart? How can you demonstrate your heartfelt appreciation in ways that resonate deeply?

In Him we have redemption through His blood

Redemption is a profound declaration of love, revealing that He willingly paid the ultimate price for our sins. He broke the chains of our slavery to sin, setting us free! Jesus is our glorious redeemer, who selflessly offered His very life as a sacrifice. With His own blood, He purchased our freedom, an unimaginable gift that showcases His boundless grace. From the very beginning, redemption through Jesus was a magnificent plan of salvation. This plan is a testament to God’s unwavering love for humanity.

According to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us

God is remarkably generous! His forgiveness flows abundantly, overflowing like a magnificent waterfall. He doesn’t merely sprinkle blessings upon us—no! He showers us with them, pouring forth without restraint. Just consider the way He gives to us, “according to” the boundless treasures of His riches. How truly rich is He? Just how immense is God’s bank account? His estate is unimaginably vast! It is, without a doubt, infinite. He never runs out of blessings; they flow endlessly, much like the oil from the widow’s jar in Elisha’s time. She kept pouring and pouring, and so does our God!

It is a profound delight to God to lavish His abundant blessings upon us. Yet, when we hoard these gifts or cling to them selfishly instead of sharing them, it deeply saddens His heart. His resources are boundless, and He longs to bless us even more. However, He desires that we use these treasures for His glory. As we prove ourselves to be faithful stewards of His grace, it brings immense joy to our Redeemer.

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Making known to us the mystery of His will

God’s plan of salvation unfolds beautifully and progressively. The Old Testament provides glimpses of this magnificent truth. However, its full depth was not always clear. Step by step, God unveils His glorious purpose for humanity. What is the profound mystery? Paul shines a light on it by declaring, “set forth in Christ.” It is the incredible plan of redemption, forged through the sacrificial love of God’s Son on the cross. Even the devoted disciples of Jesus struggled to grasp this reality. The multitude of Jews longed for a political savior, making it even more challenging to understand.

Now we stand in awe of God’s incredible plan of redemption! He sent His perfect Son, a sacrificial Lamb, to bear the weight of our sins. Then He triumphantly raised Jesus from the dead. This act showcases the astounding success of His divine plan! This miraculous act unfolded in the “fullness of time”—at the most glorious moment imaginable. Salvation is an extraordinary gift extended to all people, everywhere, with a purpose to “unite all things in him.” As we journey through this book, we will witness how salvation graciously reached even the Gentiles. Humanity can find unity through Christ. Every soul that believes in Him is welcomed into His magnificent, loving family!

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Cross References:

Reflective Questions:

• What is the main point of this section?
• Who has been blessed with these great blessings?
• What kinds of blessings does this include?
• What is the teaching in verses 4-5?
• How to explain that God chose us before the world began?
• What does this tell us about God?
• Why do some people get so upset when they hear about this “doctrine of election”?
• What should our response toward those people be?
• Some people say that this (and many other doctrines) are not important and don’t actually affect how we live. What do you think?
• Why is it important?
• In what way did He bestow this grace on us? (Freely, lavished) What does this tell you about our involvement?
• What words/phrases are repeated again and again?
• What can we learn from this?
• What does redemption mean?
• What does verse 9 mean? What is the mystery of His will?
• What does verse 10 mean? What is an “administration suitable to the fullness of the times?

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