Pure Gold from Ephesians 1

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:3-8

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Observation:

This scripture is so rich and deep with God's love for us. When I read it last night it was like finding pure gold! I had to read it like 4 times just to take in all of the glory found here. It would be easy to skim over something like this without taking a closer look at what God is trying to tell us. Let me give you some important points of what this scripture says:

1. We have every spiritual blessing
2. We are united with Christ
3. God chose us before he created the world
4. God adopted us into his own family
5. All of this gave God great pleasure
6. Because of these things we praise God
7. God has poured out grace on those who belong to Jesus
8. He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son
9. He forgives the sins of all who belong to Jesus
10. He has showered us with kindness
11. he has showered us with wisdom and understanding

Application:

It is amazing to think that God chose me before he created the world. It is amazing to think that he decided in advance to adopt me into his family. I think that true security and confidence comes from knowing that God chose you and that you didn't choose him, because we change our minds, but God never changes his mind. I think true security and confidence comes from knowing that God takes great pleasure in choosing us, and that he doesn't do it with grumbling and complaining, but with pleasure. It is awesome to think that God would go to great lengths to purchase my freedom, but not with money, with the blood of his own Son.

1 Peter 1:2

God the father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, how can I ever thank you for saving me, how can I ever thank you for paying for me with your own blood. There is nothing I can do to repay you, there is nothing I do to deserve the salvation you give me. May my life reflect the high price that was paid for it. Help me to understand this wonderful message of Jesus. Help me to tell others in a powerful but simple way about the treasure of Jesus Christ. More valuable than silver or gold or diamonds. In Jesus name, Amen!