Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 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, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:1-14
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
It’s essential for us to believe the truth as outlined by God alone and what He victoriously declares about who we are in Christ: You are Accepted. Chosen. Loved. Holy. Blameless. Redeemed. Completely made new. Purposed. Free.
Each of these words could take a lifetime of seeking, learning and trusting God to help us fully grasp the enormity of the power of each of these descriptions of who we are!
We have been empowered to overcome sin and equipped to make revolutionary changes in our lives because of what Jesus has done for us and who we are as a result. Without this knowledge, it’s far too easy to struggle with trying to define and live out our true identities in our own power. But with our identity in Christ, we have everything we need to completely transform our purpose and the direction for our lives!
As we wrap up today’s reading, ask God to further equip your life with His Truth, shoring up in your heart all His promises regarding your identity in Him. Our God is the God of the immeasurably more. All-powerful, and always at work within us to bring about His best for us, for our good and His glory [Ephesians 3:20]! He is inexhaustible in riches and mercy. Whatever you ask, expect that He will do that and more!
