November 30 – December 1, 2017
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Ephesians? Here’s today’s reading:
Ephesians 1 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 him, things in heaven and things on earth....Continue Reading
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I think this passage is really quite interesting. Throughout the passage in verses like one, five, and eleven we see Paul constantly referring back to God’s will, reminding us all of this was by God’s will. I looked at verse seven and found quite the message there:
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
Through Jesus, (and the grace, wisdom and insight He has given us) we get to be “in” on God’s will and learn the mystery of it. I’m not sure, but I think that means is that we have access to the grace and salvation given to us through Jesus’ sacrifice and also the Holy Spirit that comes from that. I think this means that we can be a part of God’s plan in a way no Old Testament prophet or priest was, which seems pretty awesome to me!! We’re “in” on the mystery now!!!
Exactly Sarah! In fact it is interesting that the chapter ends talking about all that Jesus is, “above all rulers and authorities and seated at God’s right hand, etc.” and the chapter begins talking about the fact that we are in Him (included in all that He is) by virtue of His death and resurrection and our faith in Him. But also notice the purpose of all that…that God would be glorified and we would be holy (set apart for His purpose) and blameless (beyond accusation). Notice how His glory is another prevalent thread in this chapter.
I was really taken by verses 17 and 18 where Paul prays that they would know God better and their eyes would be opened to recognize all that God had provided for them. Awesome! I spent time praying that for me, my family and the family at Living Hope!
Vs 2
Greeting with grace and peace
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 ❤️
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.🙏🏻
Every time I read this part of Ephesians, I *think* it is talking about God’s predestined plan for the Jewish nation, His plan of salvation for them through Christ. They are those “who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”
Then He explains the word coming to the Gentiles:
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
He talks later in Ephesians about the Mystery: This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Maybe I am totally reading it wrong, but that’s what I see.