3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,  to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.  In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:3-14

We have all been blessed by an excited child who is in such a rush to share some good news that he pours out everything in a gush. Call it an excited utterance. Greek experts say Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long sentence. It’s Paul, excited like a young child, pouring out the miracle of God’s amazing grace. If he had been forced to stop gushing and give us the bottom line it would have been this: “You know everything we have been trying to do on our own? Well, it’s already been done. Jesus did it.” 

For me the great struggle of the Christian walk is not to forget I’m saved. You see an unsaved person struggles to accomplish the impossible: happiness, joy, contentment, coming to an understanding, a covenant, with His God. Only Christ can do that and he has, for those who believe. But even we who believe, when things are going well, we suddenly want to grab the reins back, to reassume control, to take credit for the good. When it all turns south, we desperately look about for someone (that being Christ). “Here Lord, you drive now.” 

Contentment, peace, joy, satisfaction all can reside with us, through every storm and in every valley if we will remember just one thing: We’re already saved.  Of course, if you’re not saved or are not sure. I’d be happy to talk with you about it or point you to someone who can help. 

Thanks to this guy for inspiring this post. 

Please pray for our first team meeting for the upcoming Kairos at Angola. We can still use lots of prayer, money, volunteers. Is that you? 

Be blessed.

Nick