The Faithful in Christ Jesus

(#883, Imperial, 1960)

Read Ephesians 1:1-14.

Ephesians contains some of the highest Church truths, setting forth the ground, course, aim and end of the "faithful in Christ."  The "saints and faithful", genuine believers, are the ones to whom the letter is addressed.

The central thought of the opening paragraph (vs. 3-14) is the "unity or oneness or all things in Christ" (v10).  We see here the ultimate meaning of our redemption, set forth by Paul as thanksgiving in 3 stages, each ending with "to the praise of His glory."

    1.  vs. 3-6: the work of the Father.

    2.  vs. 7-12: the work of the Son.

    3.  vs. 13-14: the work of the Holy Spirit.

ƒ      The nature and source of our blessings (v3).

w    They are bestowed by the Father.

w    They are spiritual in character, as opposed to material.  They are applied by the Spirit, and come from a spiritual realm, the "heavenly places".

w    Christ is the medium; they are "in Christ".  Our relation to Christ places us within range of all that flows from God.

ƒ      The elements of blessing (vs. 4-14).

w    The Father's part, vs. 4-6.

    4.  We are chosen, selected, by God the Father, that we should be holy and without blame.

    5.  We are made children through adoption.

    6.  This is not on the basis of our merit but according to the good pleasure of His will.

w    The Son's part, vs. 7-12.

    7.  Redemption, through His blood, by His rich grace.

    8.  Forgiveness of sins: release and separation.

    9.  Revelation of the mystery hidden before Christ came.

10.  Made His inheritance.  God takes us for His own heritage.

w    The Holy Spirit's part, vs. 13-14.

11.  Sealed.  This means the transaction is finished.  The seal is a mark of ownership, a guarantee of safe delivery.

12.  An earnest.  The Spirit's presence is a pledge that the rest shall follow.

Could it be possible that one could shun the marvelous grace of God in providing such blessings for us?