“One Year Bible” New Testament Passage (for Sat., Sept. 22, 2012)
Ephesians 1:1-23
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Hin in love. Ephesians 1:3-4 (NKJV)
If I knew nothing about the Bible and the God of the Bible, yet somehow, had become a Christian – come to faith in Jesus – and then someone handed me a Bible and I began to read – let’s say that the first place I turned happened to be Ephesians Chapter 1. What do you think I would immediately say?
If, in child-like faith, I took every word that I read as true and applicable to me, what would Ephesians 1 tell me? First off, it would be MIND BLOWING. There is so much packed into every phrase that I would have to chew on practically every word. But here are some truths I would carry away from this chapter.
1. GOD KNEW ME LONG BEFORE I EVER THOUGHT OF HIM. There are words here that are beyond my ability to understand. Words like “predestined” and “fore-ordained” (same word as “purposed”). I would take this PERSONAL. He knew ME. Wow! I would take note of the tense of the verbs. It’s mostly passed tense. HE’S ALREADY DONE THIS STUFF!
2. GOD DEVISED THE PLAN TO COME SAVE ME. He did it because He wanted to. He is the force working behind all this. I really am only on the receiving end. I would take note that there aren’t any big rules and requirements laid on me to make this happen.
3. GOD GIVES ME A GUARANTEE ABOUT MY FUTURE. He is going to take care of me. This is incredibly comforting. Out of nowhere, God shows up and not only delivers me, He sets me up so that I can’t fail.
4. GOD WANTS TO SHOW ME MORE. I read about a prayer I should be praying. God wants to open my eyes even more! He wants to show me some incredible things about Himself, His power, and His plans for me.
If I found Ephesians 1 on a seashore somewhere and read it – if I became a Christian and started trying to live out these words – I would find myself living in a higher dimension than this world. I would find myself walking in an incredible confidence and security.
That’s the way Jesus wants us to walk with Hin today. This word of Scripture is true and it belongs to you!