Ephesians 1:11-14 says...
Today's verses are Ephesians 1:11-14, which read,
v.11, 12 - In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
We will see three "in Him" phrases in this passage. Yesterday it was that "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses." We have been forgiven and pardoned by Christ's death and resurrection.
Today, "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance..." so we are not only forgiven and pardoned but with that comes something more. It would seem that if we have done something wrong and were forgiven of it that we would not look for something more. The pardon would be enough as we breathe a sigh of relief but God gives those who are forgiven much more than they deserve.
The inheritance is part of God's overall plan, it is His will. This inheritance that we receive is truly a benefit to us but it's overall purpose is to bring glory to God. God is working out His will and His plan. We have the struggle again of the word "predestined" that shows that God's choice was made before anyone's following. God's choices come with God's active actions to fulfill all that He has predestined.
v.13, 14 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of the truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Here is the third "In Him." We have received forgiveness and pardon "in Him." We have received an inheritance "in Him." Now we have received a sign of that inheritance, the Holy Spirit residing in us to direct and guide us until that inheritance. We heard the gospel message and responded to God's gift of grace through the cross of Christ. With that hearing and believing came the forgiveness of our sins and the pardon from hell. Along with that came the inheritance of eternal life and eternity in the presence of God. And finally along with all of that came the Holy Spirit to reside within us as we live out this life to continually assure us of our adoption into God's family. Do you feel like you have received a lot "in Him?" May we never take our salvation for granted when so much has been given to us that we did not deserve.
The term "seal" was to indicate an official document that was secured by some type of wax seal to show who sent the document. It was their personal identification mark to show where the document came from. God is saying that His seal is upon us. His personal identification mark is upon our lives through the Holy Spirit so that we can know who owns us. In the book of Revelation it talks about another seal or mark that identifies people with the antichrist that those during that time are to reject. Why? Because we already have a seal upon us as part of God's family. We do not need another seal and actually another seal applied to the document would just bring confusion to the matter. "In Him" you have been given much with the purpose to bring much glory to Him.
"Lord, Your grace is not just enough to cover our sins but more than enough to provide eternal life and security of that through the ongoing seal of the Holy Spirit. May my life reflect what has been done for me and is being done for me and will be done for me in the future. May Your purpose for my life to give You glory be accomplished with my words and actions today. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.11, 12 - In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
We will see three "in Him" phrases in this passage. Yesterday it was that "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses." We have been forgiven and pardoned by Christ's death and resurrection.
Today, "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance..." so we are not only forgiven and pardoned but with that comes something more. It would seem that if we have done something wrong and were forgiven of it that we would not look for something more. The pardon would be enough as we breathe a sigh of relief but God gives those who are forgiven much more than they deserve.
The inheritance is part of God's overall plan, it is His will. This inheritance that we receive is truly a benefit to us but it's overall purpose is to bring glory to God. God is working out His will and His plan. We have the struggle again of the word "predestined" that shows that God's choice was made before anyone's following. God's choices come with God's active actions to fulfill all that He has predestined.
v.13, 14 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of the truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Here is the third "In Him." We have received forgiveness and pardon "in Him." We have received an inheritance "in Him." Now we have received a sign of that inheritance, the Holy Spirit residing in us to direct and guide us until that inheritance. We heard the gospel message and responded to God's gift of grace through the cross of Christ. With that hearing and believing came the forgiveness of our sins and the pardon from hell. Along with that came the inheritance of eternal life and eternity in the presence of God. And finally along with all of that came the Holy Spirit to reside within us as we live out this life to continually assure us of our adoption into God's family. Do you feel like you have received a lot "in Him?" May we never take our salvation for granted when so much has been given to us that we did not deserve.
The term "seal" was to indicate an official document that was secured by some type of wax seal to show who sent the document. It was their personal identification mark to show where the document came from. God is saying that His seal is upon us. His personal identification mark is upon our lives through the Holy Spirit so that we can know who owns us. In the book of Revelation it talks about another seal or mark that identifies people with the antichrist that those during that time are to reject. Why? Because we already have a seal upon us as part of God's family. We do not need another seal and actually another seal applied to the document would just bring confusion to the matter. "In Him" you have been given much with the purpose to bring much glory to Him.
"Lord, Your grace is not just enough to cover our sins but more than enough to provide eternal life and security of that through the ongoing seal of the Holy Spirit. May my life reflect what has been done for me and is being done for me and will be done for me in the future. May Your purpose for my life to give You glory be accomplished with my words and actions today. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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