Today’s reading: Galatians 5:1-Ephesians 2:22
My selection: Ephesians 1:11-14
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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
My reflections: Here we get a glimpse of God”s great eternal purposes for mankind. God is uniting all things in Christ (vs. 10). His purpose is the praise of His glory (vs. 12, 14). Those who hope in Christ have an inheritance in all this that God is doing. The guarantee of that inheritance, of which we have not yet acquired possession, is the Holy Spirit. Those who believe have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
How should we respond to this? We should keep this great view of the purposes of God before us continually, lest we become discouraged with the depressing news of the day, man’s inhumanity to man, endless political corruption, war, deceit, etc. We should seek to grow in the knowledge of our ultimate hope in Him, as Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers (vs. 15-23).
My challenge: Walk in the Spirit with which He has sealed you. Do not lose heart. Keep the big picture before you, today, and every day. God has put all things under the feet of Christ and has given Him as head over all things to the Church. He will fulfill all His purposes to the praise of His glory. Never forget it.
Tomorrow’s reading: Ephesians 3:1-5:33
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