Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:1-10 ESV)
Ephesians is one of my most favorite texts. I love reading it, over and over and over again. Why? Because it's the gospel. Paul lays out in Ephesians this beautiful, concise snapshot of what it means to follow Jesus.
Where he starts sends my heart and imagination soaring. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." God the Father didn't accidentally do anything. His perspective is so far outside ours that we can't really get our minds and hearts around it. He has blessed us. It's a finished action. Not only that, but he's chosen us and we are on our way to becoming holy and blameless.
Paul doesn't stop, "In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." In love, we were predestined and adopted. What a beautiful reality, before any of us ever were, God in his love grabbed on to us as his own all because of his "glorious grace".
It keeps going though, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." Redemption and forgiveness all by grace which is "lavished" on us. He's done this in the context of his wisdom and insight and is bringing unity to all things as a result.
When one follows Jesus, this is the reality of what God has done and is doing on her behalf. This is overwhelming and awesome. As I meditate and ponder on this passage I am laid out by God's goodness, grace, and mercy. His love leaves me filled with joy unspeakable. My heart overflows and my soul is at rest.
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