December 10, 2023

Ephesian 1:7-13

 "In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight] He made down to us the mystery of HIs will according to HIs good pleasure which He purposed in Christ, with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]--to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny--we were claimed by God as His won], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Saviour] would exist to the praise of Hi glory.  In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God]."

Ephesians 1:7-13 Amp

Think about all of the gifts we have received from Christ's sacrifice for us:

7a - We have complete and total pardon from our sins.

7b-8a - We are "lavished" with grace.

8b-9 - We have been given His wisdom and understanding regarding His will.

10 - We specifically know His will to bring all things together in Christ at the end of the ages.

11-12 - We have an inheritance and destiny, having been chosen as His to give evidence of His glory.

13 - We have been adopted in His family and are protected by Him.

I'm sure we could find more gifts just in this small section of the Word.  And there are so many more we can find as we continue to study His Word!

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