Chosen. Redeemed. Sealed

I love the book of Ephesians, it is one of my favorites. In studying about the church of Ephesus, my heart is broken by what they had held against them.

John wrote in the book of Revelation, that the church of Ephesus was doing great things – great works, persevering, keeping themselves from evil, but then this -

 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Rev 2:4

How many of us are doing all the right things, but for all the wrong reasons? It is easy to get wrapped up in being a servant, because that’s what Christians are “supposed” to do. It is SO important that the motivation behind those acts of service is LOVE, and response to God’s perfect love. I believe that we are all created to live in response to what our sweet Lord did for us. To live WORTHY of the gospel, as Philippians says. Have we forsaken our Love? Or simply forgotten what it is He did for us?

The Father chose us

Eph 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.

I love John’s wording in Chapter 6, that we are DRAWN by the Father to the Son.

The Son redeemed us

Eph 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us…

Redemption through His blood – Ransom - in ancient times one could “buy back” someone sold in slavery by paying the ransom.

We WERE in slavery, and He paid the ransom.

Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

How were we set free?

Gen 3:6-7  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Gen 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Because of their sin a sacrifice had to be made. An innocent animal had to be killed to cover their bodies.

Because of our sin, a sacrifice had to be made. Our innocent Savior had to be killed to free us from the slavery of our sin. FORGIVENESS COST HIM EVERYTHING

So that…

 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Eph 1:11-12

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance Titus 3:7 tells us that inheritance is eternal life. Because of this we should be living our lives to praise of His glory! Every second, every action, every word, every thought. To the PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, not to the praise of our own, or any one else’s. But all for Him.

The Spirit sealed us   

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” Eph 1:13

John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.

I love the parallel to the beginning -

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

In Him we have life! It’s nothing we did – the Lord did the work, He gave us life. In the beginning and when we come to Him, He breathes on us the breath of life.

“…the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.” Eph 1:13-14

Vs 14 – a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

The Greek word for “guarantee” could also be used to indicate an engagement ring.

Christ is the Bridegroom

The church is the bride

The Holy Spirit is the promise of the marriage – the eternal unity.

Chosen, redeemed, and sealed with His perfect love.

This is what we get to live in honor of and in response to. What a joy.