Our Blessings in Christ

The apostle Paul uses the very important phrase “in Christ” (or its equivalent) about thirty-five times in the book of Ephesians which is more than in any other New Testament book. In addition, the salvation of the believer is ensured by the work of all three Persons of the Trinity – the loving choice of the Father (1:3-6), the redeeming work of the Son (1:7-12), and the sealing of the Holy Spirit (1; 13, 14).

The Work of the Father: Election (Ephesians 1:3-6)
The Work of the Son: Redemption (Ephesians 1:7-12)
The Work of the Spirit: Protection (Ephesians 1:13, 14)

In Christ we are:

Blessed (v.3)
(Eph 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Chosen (v.4)
(Eph 1:4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Predestined (v.5)
(Eph 1:5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Adopted (v.5)
(Eph 1:5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Accepted (v.6)
(Eph 1:6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Redeemed (v.7)
(Eph 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Forgiven (v.7)
(Eph 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Enlightened (vv.8, 9)
(Eph 1:8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Eph 1:9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Given an inheritance: (v. 11)
(Eph 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Sealed (v.13)
(Eph 1:13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Assured (v.14)
(Eph 1:14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

What an incredible exposition of the promises of God toward us and the amazing things that we have “in Christ.” I have found this particular chapter of Ephesians to be one of the most reassuring, if not the most reassuring in the New Testament for the believer.

In Christ,
George

This post was last modified: Sat Jun 14, 2008 01:25 PM by George.

That is amazing indeed. I was reading through it thinking about how He has already done EVERYTHING for us, and yet we still choose to run from Him.

He set up our determination, our creation, our walk, our reward, our salvation, our life, everything. What possible thing could we want above and beyond that. If it just were'nt for that sin nature.

It's all a choice. We need to choose this day whom we will serve. If we choose to serve Jesus Christ, we are to give Him our all in all.

Thank you George,

Love in Christ,

Jim

When we stand before a holy God in the judgment, we stand IN CHRIST, so we will be declared fully justified, without any sin.

Its a wonderful truth. I normally sign my correspondence:

In Christ

Ian