Monday, July 6, 2015

What God's already done Ephesians 1:3-14

I read Ephesians 1:3-14. What a great blessing for me this week. I'm reminded of all God has done. The reality of God's grace and what God already did through the cross of Jesus just overwhelms. Many say it's too good to be true--they look for something to do to earn more of God's grace and more of God's love. But Paul says God's grace and love have already been revealed fully and completely in Jesus cross and rising. Human religion says do this and you will earn God's love or merit more grace--Paul invites our attention to what God's already done.

Grace as a gift unearned and undeserved. Wow. In the middle of this week's joys and struggles, hopes and frustrations comes word from Paul of God's grace for us--and more personally for me a sinner. Grace for a real sinner like me is always undeserved. For a righteous person God's favor makes sense--but for a sinner struggling daily with sin in every dimensions of my life it's way beyond comprehension. I've heard many qualify or limit the reach and power of God's grace. But Paul declares what God has already done for those who believe. God's grace in Jesus just stands out as the greatest gift of all time. Listening to Paul's words is like salve for my soul. Paul declares the news of what God's ongoing activity is on behalf of believers.

Paul isn't making a list of requirements to earn grace. Instead he's declaring what God has already done. Just listen to all that Paul says God's already done and is still doing...
  • God blessed us: God gives us spiritual blessings in heavenly places Ephesians 1:3
  • God chose us: God chooses to see us holy and blameless Ephesians 1:4
  • God destined us: God made us his children through adoption Ephesians 1:5
  • God bestowed on us: God in his glorious grace has freely done all this Ephesians 1:6
  • God lavished on us: God forgives our sins, a lavish gift, bought at the cost of his Son's death and rising Ephesians 1:8
  • God has made known to us: God revealed this mystery of his will to us Ephesians 1:9
The things God has done through Jesus Cross and resurrection: wonderful. The gift is free but the price was everything. For God's grace undeserved and unearned this sinner gives thanks.
Peace, and thanks for reading, John.
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1 comment:

  1. The Good TaleJuly 21, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    Satan has deceived the whole world into worshipping the wrong father John 8:44, Rev 12:9.

    Our true Father will not put any child of his into a hell fire as torture or as a second death no matter what their sins, whether they repent or not 1 John 2:2 in this life Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5. God has an eternal place planned for all of his children, according to their works Rev 20:12-13, Ezek 37:26. Even Satan will have an eternal place.

    The Bible is the book of the knowledge of good and evil. How to understand its secrets is now revealed Isa 28:9-10 on this blog...

    http://thegoodtale.blogspot.com

    Now you can know your true Father's 1 John 4:8 everlasting Gospel. Only the wise will hear Pro 1:5 and understand Dan 12:10 because only the wise will hear all things - he who will not hear God's prophet will be destroyed from among his people Acts 3:23. Anyone believing or teaching the lies that Satan has deceived the whole world with will NOT be allowed Rev 22:14-15 inside the walls of the New Jerusalem Rev 21:2 in the coming kingdom of God.

    Prophecy is fulfilled - God's raised prophet Acts 3:21-22 has delivered the true testimony of Jesus Christ that turns the hearts of the Father's to the children Luke 1:17 from the wilderness Rev 12:5-6, Jer 31:22, Isa 14:16-17, Rev 12:17 as a witness to the world Matt 24:14.

    He who thinks he stands take heed 1 Cor 10:12 much is required to whom much will be given Luke 12:48. God requires perfection in those he will choose. How to have God's perfection is now delivered.

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