Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
Text: Ephesians 1:14
UNDERSTANDABLE REPETITION OF WORDS
Paul would from time to time repeat himself. But we understand just why he kept repeating one phrase in particular.
“To the praise of His glory…”
EPHESIANS 1:14 (EPHESIANS 1:6, 12)
As he pondered and wrote about the redemption that God had revealed to him, he could not but pause to give praise and glory to Him.
A REVIEW OF GOD’S MANIFOLD BLESSINGS
We have come to the end of the longest sentence in the entire New Testament (Ephesians 1:3-14). In this portion of Scripture we have a glorious list of blessings described. May our review of God’s blessings cause us to emulate the spirit of the apostle Paul, in giving praise and thanks always. Ten blessings may be counted.
1. Chosen to be holy and without blame in Christ Ephesians 1:4
2. Predestined to the adoption as sons by Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:5
3. Bestowed great grace to us in the Beloved (translated as “made us accepted”) Ephesians 1:6
4. Redeemed by the blood of Christ Ephesians 1:7
5. Forgiven of all our sins Ephesians 1:7
6. Rich grace made to abound toward us with wisdom and prudence Ephesians 1:7-8
7. Revelation of God’s will Ephesians 1:9
8. Included in God’s Great Plan of Gathering all who belong to Christ Ephesians 1:10
9. Allotted an inheritance in Christ Ephesians 1:11
10. The Holy Spirit given to us as a Seal and a Guarantee Ephesians 1:13-14
AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE
What would be a truly appropriate response to God as we meditate on these glorious blessings poured out on us? Let us ponder afresh what the apostle Paul wrote at the beginning of his epistle.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”
EPHESIANS 1:3
Does not our heart feel deeply moved to echo what the apostle Paul wrote?