Ephesians

So, I think I'm going to study Ephesians over the next couple of weeks. I'm involved in a local women's Bible study here in town and it starts in a couple weeks. Then I'll be wrapped up in Daniel, Revelation and Mrs. Beth Moore. But until then...

Ephesians 1:3-6:
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love
5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. (www.bible.com)

This Epistle is written by Paul to the believers at the church in Ephesus. I love how he bursts out in praise FIRST for our Savior who has chosen us! The first thing he does, after greeting them, is remind them of the blessings God has given. God never promises that our life on earth will be filled with health, wealth and prosperity. But He does bless us..."every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." Our blessings are spiritual. And although we hold a place seated at the right hand of God in heaven, we are not without spiritual blessings here on earth. We have unlimited access to the throne of God through prayer and supplication....we have peace in His eternal protection...we have comfort knowing He holds the future. Those without God do not know peace and comfort, because they do not have access.

The second thing Paul reminds them here is that they are chosen. We are chosen. Do you ever feel left out? Unneeded? Not cared for? I know I have...there are so many days where I feel that all I'm needed for is diaper changes and emptied dishwashers. But we don't ever have to feel that way in Christ. God has specifically chosen us "before the foundation of the world" and has a purpose for us. His goal was that we would be "holy and blameless before Him in love."

I've done so many things wrong in my life that I got nervous when I first saw that word, "blameless." But after a little digging, I see that "blameless" means "without blame" or "without willful sin." It's the stuff that we do and know it's wrong that this is talking about. Now, fortunately, there is forgiveness. My human nature can be so much stronger than, well, anything else. But I remind myself God forgives, no matter what. I can't use this as a precursor to sin, for that's where the "blame" comes in. But there is forgiveness...

The other thing about God's choice? It was a choice. Paul uses the word, "adoption" here. No one adopts without desire. No one adopts without careful and thoughtful selection. No one chooses to adopt, then fails to care. He chose us out of millions, before the world was even formed. He chose me. He selected you. And He'll never let us go, since "He made us accepted in the Beloved."

I'm choosing to take comfort today that even if it turns out to be a rainy day filled with diapers and dishwashers, that I matter to Him. And when I look at my kids, I'll remember that even though I didn't choose them, God chose them for me. And it is my job to make them feel chosen and loved so that they may know a bit of the love of their Savior.