The first essential truth Paul wants us to know and experience is “the hope to which God has called us” (Ephesians 1:18). This hope is nothing less than the glorious future that awaits all believers in Jesus. It includes the promise of a new creation, transformed physical bodies, eternal life…
In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prays for the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts to be enlightened. We often read the Bible and hear sermons about God’s truth, yet fail to fully grasp and internalize those spiritual truths. We need more than just information—we need revelation that penetrates our hearts. That happens…
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14) Our supreme…
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13) The Holy Spirit within us is God’s seal and guarantee, reassuring us that one day we will come into our full…
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–12) Our God…
Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” Our salvation is not earned by what we do or accomplish through our own effort. It is freely received by believing…
Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we have obtained an inheritance…” Through our union with Christ, we have the astounding confidence of an eternal inheritance awaiting us. Despite the various struggles we face in this mortal life – illness, grief, poverty, injustice – we can endure them with patience and hope,…
Like Brandt Jean, we can extend remarkable forgiveness to others by God’s grace. As Christians, we are called to be people of forgiveness, reflecting the mercy that was shown to us (Eph 4:32). Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be harmed. It only breeds bitterness…
We have been reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us and made peace through his cross (Rom 5:10; Col 1:20). Now he has given us this ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). He has commissioned us as his ambassadors of…
God, in his great wisdom, has chosen to reveal his magnificent plan to us – to unite all things under the loving lordship of Christ (Eph 1:9-10). All of creation was meant to be under Christ’s headship, living in harmony under God’s wise and gracious rule. But sin corrupted everything,…