Read Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 1-14
Verses 3-10 read,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Verse 3 says that God the Father has blessed us (believers) in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. What does this mean? The phrase “heavenly places” is used two more times in this book. Chapter 1 verses 19-23 read,
“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Christ was raised from the dead and is made authority over all things. He is seated at the right hand of The Father in the heavenly places. Moreover, we have been raised from death as well and we are seated with Him in the heavenly places. Chapter 2 verses 5-7 read,
“even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
That is a big deal! We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. We’ve raised from the dead and made alive together with Christ! We’ve been saved. Our sins have been wiped away. They are gone. And we are seated with Christ over all rule and authority and power and dominion. Just like all things are under Jesus’ feet, they are subject to our authority as well. We are subject to Christ and all things are subject to Him and in turn to us. Think that over.
Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. But God chose to adopt us. He chose to adopt us before He even created the earth. (Verse 5). He chose you. He chose me. We too are His children with all the privileges that being heirs of God entails. Why? Why would He choose to do something like that for us? Because He wanted to. Because He loves us and wants to shower us in His love. He doesn’t need our worship, He’s got angels worshipping Him 24/7. He doesn’t need our service. He created the whole world, He is omnipotent. He simply wanted to because He loves you so much and He wanted to share Himself with you. He chose to save you, to forgive you and cover you with His love, blessings, and gifts. And He chose you for a reason and a purpose. He knew you were the person for the job He has for you. He designed you. You see He didn’t only choose you, or me, or your pastor, He chose others too. He chose to make a way for every single person to come to know Him, be adopted and be loved. Verse 10 reads,
“as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
That is God’s desire, His will and His plan, that all things will be united in Him. And as you bask in His immense love as you enjoy the immeasurable power, the beautiful gifts, and the great authority He has given you and you conform to Christ’s image you will glorify Him. In your glory and praise, as you manifest the attributes of Christ, are filled and sealed with His Spirit, and live victoriously for Christ others will see God and hear Him calling them. Others will turn to Christ and accept His miraculous and wonderful grace. Verses 11-14 put it like this,
“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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”