Chosen, redeemed, sealed
Today's focusThe Father chose us in Christ and adopted us as children; in the Son we have redemption through his blood; and we are 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
This passage reveals a beautiful harmony within the Trinity, working together for your salvation. Long "before the foundation of the world," the Father chose you to be "holy and without blame before him in love." He did not leave you as a stranger but "predestinated us unto the adoption of children," choosing to bring you into his family according to the "good pleasure of his will." You are "accepted in the beloved," not because of your own works, but according to the "glory of his grace."
In the Son, Jesus Christ, this grace becomes tangible. You have "redemption through his blood" and the "forgiveness of sins." This is a gift drawn from the "riches of his grace," through which God gathers all things together. Finally, having heard the "word of truth," you are "sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." This Spirit is the "earnest" or guarantee of your "inheritance," a divine mark ensuring you are his "purchased possession." You are held by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed by the Spirit.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Which of these gifts — being chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son or sealed by the Spirit — do you most need to remember today?
Pray
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for choosing me, for redeeming me through Jesus' blood and for sealing me with your Holy Spirit. Let my life be to the praise of your glory.