Ephesians 1:3-14

(Second Sunday of Christmas-Epistle Reading)

I invite you to explore the depths of a passage that lies at the heart of our Christian identity and calling. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul unfolds a host of spiritual truths that are as profound as they are transformative. Today, we will delve into Ephesians 1:3-14, a passage that encapsulates the fullness of our blessings in Christ.

Paul begins this epistle with a burst of praise: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” This verse sets the stage for our exploration. We are reminded that in Christ, we have received not just some, but every spiritual blessing. This is a truth that should fill our hearts with gratitude and awe.

As we proceed through this passage, we will explore four key aspects of our spiritual blessings in Christ: being chosen and predestined by God, redeemed, and forgiven through Christ’s blood, the revelation of God’s will, and being marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit.

I. Chosen and Predestined in Him: Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” These verses are a profound reminder of our identity in Christ. Before the world was made, God chose us. This choice was not based on anything we had done, but solely on His love and grace.

Being chosen by God is not just a matter of privilege; it is a call to holiness and blamelessness. As chosen people, we are called to reflect God’s character in our lives. Romans 8:29-30 reinforces this truth, reminding us that we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

In practical terms, being chosen and predestined means living with a sense of purpose and direction. It means understanding that our lives are not a series of random events, but part of a divine plan. This understanding should guide our decisions, relationships, and service to others.

II. Redeemed and Forgiven Through His Blood: In Ephesians 1:7-8, Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This profound truth speaks to the very core of our Christian faith. Redemption and forgiveness are not just theological concepts; they are the realities that define our existence in Christ.

The redemption through Christ’s blood signifies the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – a price we could never pay on our own. It’s essential to remember that our redemption cost God His only Son. This sacrifice is the ultimate expression of His love for us. In Colossians 1:13-14, Paul again emphasizes this truth, saying, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

In our daily lives, this redemption and forgiveness should shape how we interact with others. As we have been forgiven much, we too are called to extend forgiveness to those who wrong us, reflecting the grace we have received. It also calls us to live lives that honor the sacrifice made for us, striving for purity, integrity, and love.

III. The Mystery of His Will Revealed: Ephesians 1:9-10 speaks of the mystery of God’s will made known to us – the plan to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. This is a revelation of God’s ultimate plan for the universe, a plan that centers on Christ and includes all who belong to Him.

This revelation is crucial for understanding our place in God’s overarching story. We are part of a divine narrative that culminates in the unity and reconciliation of all creation. As Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This unity transcends all earthly divisions, calling us to a higher purpose of love and reconciliation.

In practical terms, this means striving for unity in our church and community, breaking down barriers of race, class, and culture, and seeing each other through the lens of Christ’s love. It challenges us to look beyond our differences and to work towards reconciliation and harmony in our relationships.

IV. Marked with the Seal of the Holy Spirit: Finally, Ephesians 1:13-14 brings us to the seal of the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it. This seal is not just a mark of ownership, but also a promise of what is to come – our eternal inheritance with Christ.

The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, guide, and comforter. As believers, we are never alone; the Spirit dwells within us, guiding us in truth and righteousness. Romans 8:14-16 affirms this, saying, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.”

In our daily lives, this means leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance in our decisions and drawing comfort from His presence in times of trouble. It also means listening for His voice in our spiritual journey, being open to His leading, and trusting in His power to work in and through us.

Conclusion: As we reflect on these profound truths from Ephesians 1:3-14, let us embrace the fullness of our blessings in Christ. We are chosen and predestined, redeemed, and forgiven, privy to the mystery of His will, and marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. These truths are not just for our intellectual contemplation but for our daily application.

I encourage each one of us to live in the reality of these blessings. Let us walk as children of light, chosen and loved by God, redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, united in His purpose, and empowered by His Spirit. May these truths transform our lives, relationships, and service to God and others.

A Litany for Worship based on Ephesians 1:3-14

Leader: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Congregation: We praise You, O Lord, for choosing us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before You.

Leader: In love, He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.

Congregation: To the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.

Leader: In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Congregation: He has lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will.

Leader: According to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time.

Congregation: To unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Leader: In Him, we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Congregation: So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.

Leader: In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

Congregation: The Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.

All: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Amen.