Life is short. Its length can seem as short as a breath on a cold morning. So, what really matters in light of eternity? The apostle Paul answers that question for us in the prelude of his letter to the believers in ancient Ephesus (a bustling city with seemingly everything you could want, knowledge, sexual indulgence, philosophy, entertainment, and riches). Paul says that receiving God’s love and the knowledge of repentance leading to forgiveness of sins, puts us into an adopted relationship with the eternal God as our Heavenly Father. All of this was purposed for us “in Christ”. Jesus life, death and resurrection changed it all. We get more than the girl, the gold watch and everything… we have every spiritual blessing in Christ, forever!
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. Ephesians 1:3-10 NIV
How much of my attention and pursuit is for that which will perish? How have I appropriated all I am offered in Christ? In what ways would others see God reflected in me?
God, as this day begins- I pause to say thank you for what I possess that cannot be taken away- a real and dynamic relationship with You, the maker of heaven and earth. I praise You for being chosen in Christ and that You’ve mapped out in advance my life. May I walk today in a manner worthy. As the church holds our final night inviting people to revival, I pray You will add to the church those being saved.
