Establishing Your Bearing

Before we begin our study together, let’s remember where Paul begins. Before he asks believers to live differently, he reminds them of who they are in Christ. Lasting obedience is not possible without first understanding what God has already done for us. Ephesians opens not with commands, but with celebration. Every spiritual blessing we possess is ours because we are in Christ.

Setting Your Course

Every Spiritual Blessing

Ephesians 1:3

³ 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,

Paul loved Jesus’ followers in and around Ephesus. He visited this region on each of his missionary journeys, and he spent three years in Ephesus investing in their lives and faithfully teaching God’s Word. Even when he knew he would never see them again, he made a special effort to encourage the church’s leaders. This letter flows from the heart of a shepherd who longed to see God’s people flourish in Christ.

In order to live faithfully, Paul knew they needed to remember exactly what they have received. He starts his letter emphasizing that they have “every spiritual blessing” from God. It’s easy to ignore the most important word – “every.” In Christ, the entire storehouse of God’s grace is opened up to us. There is nothing held back, nothing omitted, nothing being delayed.

In Christ, nothing essential has been withheld from us.

Chosen for Adoption by the Father

Ephesians 1:4-6

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 to himself 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.

The first blessing Paul encourages the church to remember is that they were chosen for adoption by God the Father. The heart of a father is on full display with Paul’s statement that “He chose us…before the foundation of the world.” God Himself, the Creator of the universe, has chosen us.

That choice results in adoption. We aren’t just with God, experiencing His care and provision. We are adopted by God, brought into His family to be His children. Children receive all the benefits of the family.

Our identity begins with God’s gracious choice, not our personal achievement.

Redeemed to Unity by the Son

Ephesians 1:7-10

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 insight ⁹ 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.

The second blessing that we experience is redemption. Paul reminds his readers that Christ paid the required price of His blood to buy us back from our sin. Christ paid the price of His atoning sacrifice to fulfill the purpose of God to unite us to each other and to Him.

Unity in Christ fulfills the purpose of God. This is the mystery that Old Testament prophets had tried to reveal and that Paul is now uncovering so that believers can live to the glory of God.

Our redemption from sin to unity with God and each other fulfills God’s purpose.

Sealed for Inheritance by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:11-14

¹¹ also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, ¹² to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. ¹³ In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

The final blessing that Paul reminds the Ephesians of is that they are secure in their relationship with God. Just as God the Father chooses us and God the Son redeems us, God the Holy Spirit seals us as the heirs of the kingdom of God.

The seal and the pledge that Paul uses to describe this blessing are each irreversible in the Roman world. They are unbreakable promises that what has been declared will come to pass. Paul’s final phrases of this opening section are of great significance: “to the praise of His glory.” We are chosen, redeemed, and sealed so that God may be glorified.

Our position in God’s family is sealed with the presence of the Holy Spirit.