“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. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” — Ephesians 1:3-14
Introduction
God the Father has already blessed all who believe in Jesus Christ with every spiritual blessing that heaven has for us. This occurred at the moment we believed in Christ. It is something done to us by God, not something that we have to somehow acquire for ourselves by our own action.
In addition, this total blessedness has been given to us in Christ. Not one spiritual blessing is additional to or separate from Christ. This reinforces the fact that these blessings are not received because of some action or merit of ours, but are in their totality part and parcel of the comprehensive salvation we have in Jesus Christ. Once we have Christ, we’ve got the lot! There simply isn’t any more.
Paul identifies some of these spiritual blessings which every believer has been given in Christ:
- God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be his set-apart people (v.4).
- God lovingly adopted us as his ‘sons’ through Jesus Christ (v.5).
- God redeemed us through Christ’s blood, setting us free from the guilt and condemnation of our sins (v.7). This redemption and forgiveness we possess in Christ are as immeasurable as God’s grace.
- In and through the gospel of Christ God has revealed the mystery of his will to us (v.9–10).
- In Christ, we are chosen to be the vehicles of God’s glory (v.11–12).
- God has sealed us in Christ with his Spirit, thereby guaranteeing our salvation (v.13–14).
With such blessedness comes spiritual contentment.
The Mystery of God: The Church(Ephesians 2:11-3:13)
In Ephesians 1:9–10, Paul mentioned briefly that in Christ God has made known to us the secret plan of his will—to bring all things under one head, Jesus Christ. Paul speaks here of God’s purpose to establish the church, the body of people of which Christ is the head (1:22–23).
The church is neither an afterthought, a “Plan B,” nor an interim measure, but rather has always been the eternal purpose of God. This purpose was previously known in “secret plan” form in the revelation recorded in the Old Testament. This eternal purpose of God, anticipated in his promises, and implemented in and through his Son, Jesus Christ, is that Jew and Gentile together comprise the people of God.
In Christ’s church, the Old Testament prophetic symbols and words are fulfilled:
- The church is the spiritual people of God symbolized by physical Israel (2:19).
- The church is the spiritual dwelling place of God, symbolized by the physical temple (2:21–22).
- The church is the recipient of God’s indwelling Spirit, promised by the prophets (1:13; 2:22).
- The church has permanent, unimpeded access into the very presence of God, symbolized by the once-a-year access of the High Priest into the Most Holy Place (2:7, 18; 3:12).
There is a unique relationship between Christ and his church which excludes all possibility of the church ceasing to exist at some future date. As Christ’s church, planned from eternity to be God’s eternal people, may we fulfil his eternal purpose for us (2:7, 10; 3:10).
Worthy of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1—5:17)
Because of the amazing salvation and new identity we have in Christ, Paul urges us to live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you (4:1).
In this worthy life we will:
- Acknowledge and express our common identity and unity in Christ (4:2–6).
- Be characterized by a mature contentment with Jesus Christ and dependence on Jesus Christ that prevents us from turning aside to deviant beliefs (4:11–16).
- Reject the empty, godless mindset of unbelievers and hold firmly to the truth we have learned by knowing Christ (4:17–24).
- Refuse to engage in words, attitudes and actions that destroy others. Instead, we will choose to show love, kindness, and forgiveness, just as God has shown us grace (4:32).
In all of this Paul exhorts us to be what we are:
- We are one in Christ, so we should express that unity.
- We know Christ, so we should live out that knowledge.
- We have been made new, so we should live as new people.
- We have received the Holy Spirit, so we should live in sync with the Spirit.
- We are forgiven, so we should express forgiveness.
- We are God’s children, so we should reflect our Father’s nature.
- We are children of Light, so we should live as children of light.
Conclusion
The book of Ephesians reminds us that everything we are and have flows from the lavish grace of God in Christ. We are chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, sealed with the Spirit, and secured for eternity. This identity is not just theological truth—it is a call to live differently.
The response to grace is not passive; it is a life lived worthy of the calling we have received. As the church, God’s eternal plan, we are to walk in unity, holiness, love, light, and wisdom. And as we do so, our lives proclaim to the world and to the heavens the glory of the God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
