Every spiritual blessing
Today's focusPaul praises God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ: chosen in him before the foundation of the world, adopted as children, redeemed through his blood, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our inheritance.
Read
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Reflection
Paul begins this letter with a beautiful song of praise, reminding you that God "hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Before the "foundation of the world," God already had you in mind, choosing you to be "holy and without blame before him in love." You are not an afterthought or a stranger; through Jesus Christ, you have been granted the "adoption of children," brought into God’s family according to His "good pleasure."
This grace is not small or stingy; it is described as the "riches of his grace" which He has "abounded toward us." In Christ, you have "redemption through his blood" and the total "forgiveness of sins." No matter your past, you are "accepted in the beloved." To confirm this promise, God has "sealed" you with the "holy Spirit of promise." This Spirit is the "earnest" or down payment of your future inheritance. You can rest today knowing that you are God's "purchased possession," held securely for His glory.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Which of these blessings — chosen, adopted, forgiven, sealed — do you most need to remember today, and why?
Pray
Blessed be you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that in Christ I am chosen, adopted, forgiven and sealed by your Spirit. Let my life be to the praise of your glorious grace.