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All about Jesus
by Adam Bennett I think I've learned a bit about Paul reflecting on the first chapter of Ephesians. For instance, from chapter 1 verse 3-14 I've developed an impression that Paul was excitable. (Read the passage here.) He was obviously wound up because the whole section is one long sentence in the Greek. He is so enthusiastic about his theme he doesn't draw breath. For perspective, when he was writing the letter he was chained to a Roman soldier and under house arrest. And what was he so excited about? Simply, Paul is excited about Jesus. Twelve times, by my count, in those verses Paul refers to things that happen for us in or through Jesus. I'd like to comment on four themes attached to the centrality of Jesus. First, in Jesus we have received immense blessings. Paul writes an amazing thing in verse 3. He says that God has, "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." Hear the emphasis... every spiritual blessing. What has God given us? The answer is everything. In Romans Paul wrote, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 ESV). Another way Paul talks about us getting access to all of God's blessings is that in verse 5 he writes that, "In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ." The person who is adopted by God gets access to the inheritance of God. We are treated, and blessed like the children of God we are. Second, we have redemption and forgiveness That's from verse 7 which says, "In him [that is, Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace." Notice the two key words: redemption... the image is God acting to purchase us out of slavery to sin and death to free us for holiness and life... and, forgiveness. And the price which bought us redemption and forgiveness was Christ's blood. "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT) Third, we have a purpose What I have in mind here is when Paul says in verse 12 that, "we might be to the praise of his glory." The 'praise of his glory' is a phrase I love. It's the perfect mission statement for every Christian individual, family or ministry. It suggests that everything about are lives should point anyone who sees us to the character and majesty of God... and to inspired to praise him. And lastly, we have a living future Here is verse 13 and 14 from the Message: "It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home freesigned, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life." It's all about Jesus! Copyright Adam Bennett 2009. More articles are available at http://godward-thoughts.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |