|
This was not just for the
saints in Ephesus, this is
the blessedness of every
child of God. He had
written to the Romans of the
blessedness of sins forgiven
(Rom. 4:6-7) and that
without works, but he does
not tell why God saved us
nor the motivation behind
it. Ephesians informs us,
all was done according to
His own purpose
(Eph. 1:5, 9, 11) and out of
a heart of love. Notice the
word “us” in the following
verses: |
|
|
a) |
He hath chosen us in him
(Christ) before the
foundation of the world
(Eph. 1:4). Election looks
backward and tells us we
were chosen. |
|
|
b) |
He predestinated us unto the
adoption of children (Eph.
1:4-5). That is, God marked
us out beforehand,
determining what He planned
He would do for us.
Predestination is the
unveiling of the heart of
God in eternity past, now
those purposes being worked
out in us with a view to
future fulfillment, looks
forward and tells us why we
were chosen (Eph. 1:5).
God’s purpose is that we
should be brought into His
family and given the full
status and privileges of
sonship. |
|
|
c) |
He enriched us by making “us
accepted in the Beloved”, in
the fulness of delight He
has in His Beloved (Eph.
1:6). God could never
accept us in our sinful
unregenerate condition, yet
once we trust Christ as our
Saviour He does accept us in
Him. |
|
|
d) |
He redeemed us from all our
sins, we have been forgiven
(Eph. 1:7). We who were
“sold as a slave to sin”
(Rom. 7:14), and we have
been “bought with a price”
(1 Cor. 6:20), wonderful
truths. Then added to that
is we have been forgiven.
God has not only made us His
own but He has made us fit
to live with Him for ever.
In redeeming us from the
slave market of sin, He has
brought us into a new
family, the Family of God,
so that we are sons and
daughters of God (2 Cor.
6:18). |
|
|
e) |
He initiated us the Divine
Mystery (Eph. 1:9). This is
not the mystery of chapter
3:4 as the word “that”
indicates. |
|
|
|
|
i) |
The word “mystery” refers to
truth which was once
undisclosed but which is now
revealed. It is the
revelation that everything
is moving towards the
glorious consummation of all
things, all is headed up in
Christ, things in Heaven and
on earth. |
|
|
f) |
He gave us an “inheritance”
(Eph. 1:11). God through
Christ has given to us
everything we need for time
and for eternity. This is
not just something to be
enjoyed in the future alone,
we already have the
guarantee of our inheritance
(Eph. 1:14). The Holy
Spirit within us is the
pledge that one day we shall
enter into all that which
already belongs to us in
Christ. |
|
|
g) |
He sealed us with the “Holy
Spirit of Promise” (Eph.
1:13-14). Note that the
sealing by the Holy Spirit,
which indicates ownership
and security, means we
belong to Him and we shall
always belong to Him! There
is no time period between
believing and our sealing.
It does not say after ye
believed you were sealed,
not sealed before you
believed, but upon believing
you are sealed. |
Considerations
Was our salvation just an
act of happenstance, we just
happened to be in the right
place at the right time and
heard the right words?
Definitely not! When we sit
and consider the many
blessings the Lord has
bestowed on us, ones that we
daily take for granted such
as to be able to present the
gospel to the unsaved, have
elders to help guide us, to
be able to sing words of
truth and praise to the
Lord.
Surely we have so very much
to give thanks for, all
evidences that our God cares
for us and nothing happens
by happenstance. As we
consider the blessings of
God, both material and
spiritual, we can honestly
say with the hymn writer:
When upon life's billows you
are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged,
thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings,
name them one by one,
And it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name
them one by one,
Count your blessings, see
what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name
them one by one,
And it will surprise you
what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a
load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy
you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings,
every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as
the days go by.
When you look at others with
their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has
promised you His wealth
untold,
Count your many blessings,
Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor
your home on high.
So, amid the conflict
whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God
is over all;
Count your many blessings,
angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to
your journey's end.
Edwin O Excell
|
