Ephesians 1:3-14
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 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.
Devotion
Today we will focus on verses eleven through fourteen. Here we will find several more of the spiritual blessings that are ours as a result of God’s grace and our faith in Christ. Paul begins this section of Scripture with, “In Him, we have also received an inheritance.” He gives us an inheritance! He rewards us for something we have not done. This is part of God’s eternal plan. We are to inherit with Christ because we are in Christ. In Romans 8:17, Paul calls us “joint heirs” with Christ. God predestined that those who are found in Christ are to receive an inheritance. Because we are sons and daughters of the Most High, we will inherit God’s kingdom and all that it entails. Of course, the response to this blessing is that we will “bring praise to His glory.” To get a glimpse of your inheritance, read Revelation chapters twenty-one through twenty-two.
The next blessing is found in verses thirteen and fourteen. Paul writes, “In Him, you were also sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit.” So, when we put our faith in Christ, we receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a “seal or down payment” of our inheritance. The Spirit of God is a seal showing ownership and a pledge pointing to the future, final redemption. By sending His Spirit to take up residence in our lives, God equips us for our spiritual journey and provides us security in knowing that we are truly His sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit is the seal that guarantees that God is going to deliver us! Therefore, we are sealed until the day of redemption. The Holy Spirit is a down payment. In real estate when you buy a house, you are asked to put a down payment or earnest money down to hold the property for you. This means you promise to pay the balance in full. The Holy Spirit is that down payment. He has been given as a pledge that there is more to follow in the way of spiritual blessings.
The spiritual blessings mentioned here result in “praise to His glory.” Too often, we fix our hearts and minds on the things of this world. As believers, we sometimes fail to recognize the spiritual blessings that are ours already. Sometimes we focus on all the bad going on around us to the extent that we forget the inheritance that awaits us in the future. God calls us to live out our faith in such a way that His blessings are evident in our lives. This results in the praise of His glory!
Questions to Ponder
What goes through your mind as you think about the inheritance that is yours in Christ? How does it make you feel to know that you are a joint heir with Christ? The Holy Spirit is often called the shy member of the Trinity. How is the Holy Spirit working in your life to conform you into the image of Christ? Do you praise God for the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the seal and down payment of our salvation. What practical implications does this have for the believer?
Prayer Points
- I love You, Holy Spirit. I praise You, Abba, for blessing me with the Holy Spirit. Thank You for being my Counselor, Revealer of truth, and Spirit of Christ.
- Thank You for choosing me, saving me, redeeming me, and reconciling me back to God. Thank You for faith, love, and joy. Thank You for forgiveness of sins and for making me holy and blameless in Your sight. Thank You for sealing me with Your very Spirit.
- Thank You for indwelling inside of me, Holy Spirit. You no longer come and go but reside in me. I worship You as my wonderful Counselor, Teacher, Helper, and Lover of my soul. I declare that the boundary lines have fallen on me in pleasant places, and I have a good inheritance.
Suggested Prayer
Teacher, Good Shepherd, Lord of heaven and earth, I worship You in Spirit and in Truth. You are worthy to be praised, high and lifted up. Father, I am asking that today, God, You would grip our hearts for the things that grip Yours. Cause each one of us to yearn for You, to hunger for You and You alone. I am asking, LORD, that each of us fall more madly in love with You. Help us today to yield to You, Lord, to sense Your Holy Spirit working in us, speaking to us, and prompting us. Lord God, we turn our eyes on You. We want to walk in step with the Holy Spirit today, going where You lead us and speaking to those You send us to. Oh God, give us hearts that say yes to You. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.