IN HIM...

Passage: Ephesians 1:7-14

Key verse: 1:7

NIV

7 In him we have redemption(A) through his blood,(B) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(C) of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[a] made known to us the mystery(D) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(E) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(F)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.(G)

11 In him we were also chosen,[b] having been predestined(H) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(I) 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.(J) 13 And you also were included in Christ(K) when you heard the message of truth,(L) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(M) the promised Holy Spirit,(N) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(O) until the redemption(P) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(Q)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
  2. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

7 (A)In him we have (B)redemption (C)through his blood, (D)the forgiveness of our trespasses, (E)according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 (F)making known[a] to us the mystery of his will, (G)according to his purpose, which he (H)set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for (I)the fullness of time, (J)to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained (K)an inheritance, (L)having been predestined (M)according to the purpose of him who works all things according to (N)the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be (O)to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard (P)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, (Q)were sealed with the (R)promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is (S)the guarantee[b] of our (T)inheritance until (U)we acquire (V)possession of it,[c] (W)to the praise of his glory.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 1:9 Or he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known…
  2. Ephesians 1:14 Or down payment
  3. Ephesians 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, redeemed by grace for a purpose (7-10). We have every spiritual blessing in Christ. This includes redemption through his blood and forgiveness of our sins. This is in accordance to the riches of God's grace lavished on us. He did so to make known to us the mystery of his will - what he purposed in Christ - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. We are saved to participate in the process of bringing unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Second, for the praise of his glory (11-14). God intends for all in Christ to be for the praise of his glory. He is working out this plan of world redemption according to his will through us, who put our faith in Christ. All who believe this gospel are marked in him with a seal, the Holy Spirit. The world can be dark and times hard, but in him we have this deposit that guarantees our inheritance. As we await its fulfillment, we live in him for the praise of his glory.

Prayer: Father, thank you for including me in Christ, to live for the praise of your glory.

One Word: bring unity to all things under Christ