Ephesians 1:3-14
Grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If we think back to our adolescent years I think we can all say that time period rates high on the list of most traumatic years of our life. In those years we were trying to establish our own identity. Unfortunately that identity was dependant on the not so nice young people in our age group. We wanted to be ourselves and yet fit in. Every school had the A team, the cool kids, that made everyone else feel like they were outsiders. Despite all the drama we managed to reach adulthood and we realize now those years may have been hurtful, but for most, those years really had no bearing on where we are now. My follies of that time period were stupid stunts that I can look back on and dismiss as such. It was all about me.
In the years since there are follies that can't be dismissed easily. I think we all share in that feeling as well. Again I can say it was all about me.
Thank goodness God has a different perspective than we do. As we read this passage from Ephesians there is nothing in there about me or us doing anything to earn God's favor. In fact the passage is all about Him, all about how He has redeemed us. He looks on us like we look on the foolishness of our adolescence. It has been dismissed because He loves us and has planned for our foolishness. Further He has dismissed what we can't.
In the letter to Ephesians Paul uses some interesting phrases that in our experience and language that don't carry the impact of the original writing.
Paul uses the phrase, in Christ, eight times in this passage. He is emphasizing the unique significance of Christ in God's plan of redemption. This same Jesus Christ is the all encompassing representative of mankind and acts for us and our salvation before God. Jesus is the person from whom we receive and enjoy all that God's redemptive action has bestowed on man. God's plan applied to the Christian communities of Paul's time and applies to everyone through the end of days when all will be united to Him through Jesus.
Let's go deeper and add a little more context to this letter.
Under Roman law anyone even a slave could become an adopted heir to the master's property. An adopted son had the same rights as a biological son, a share in the property that could not be revoked.
From the time of Genesis through the time of Paul slavery was common. In the Jewish household slaves could be freed either by themselves or another through a purchase. If we go back to Leviticus in the Old Testament we find that the word used to purchase freedom from slavery is redemption. We also find in Leviticus that the only way to be forgiven for sin was by the shedding of blood.
All humans are born into slavery. We are born into sin and are a slave to sin. We desperately need forgiveness for our sins, no matter how hard we try to avoid it we continue to sin. On our own we are helpless against the grip of Satan.
Paul tells us that God predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ and we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses. Mankind was taken away into slavery by Satan's deception but God had a plan to bring back His most cherished creation.
He set into motion a plan to adopt mankind as equal heirs in His kingdom. Heirs of the eternal joy of heaven. First we had to be redeemed from our slave status; blood had to be shed for our forgiveness. Jesus Christ had to live the perfect life to be the final perfect sacrifice for our sins and to break the chains of that heavy burden. But now that we have been redeemed through our faith in Jesus we are adopted heirs and that is irrevocable. Satan can't snatch us back.
Even Paul the great evangelist calls this a mystery. God's complete plan is a mystery; we only know what has been revealed to us through scripture. To many God's plan just doesn't make sense and even those who believe take pause occasionally to reevaluate what we know of this mystery. The truth is the mystery of God's will is beyond our understanding. However, in the fullness of time God did reveal His redemptive purpose through Jesus Christ. We may not know all of the details but be assured His purpose is at work in our redemption, forgiveness, and adoption.
As if that is not enough Paul concludes this passage "when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Can it be true? Is this the free car wash that truly is free? Did God really say that if we hear His Word and believe in Jesus we have His eternal grace and mercy.
Yes it is true. When we hear the Word, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we can accept Jesus, as the Son of God and Savoir of mankind. We are guaranteed entrance into His kingdom we are the adopted children with a claim that can't be revoked.
I can honestly say I don't fully understand God's plan. As much as I would like to understand the entire plan God will keep it a mystery to me perhaps for eternity. But then does it really matter what all the details are? God has already revealed the purpose of his plan, our redemption and salvation. So the details really aren't so important.
Actually, I'm happy that He doesn't require me to know the details or to do anything on my own behalf. I would no doubt stumble. I can't do anything of my own that can earn my salvation. My good works are only an outward reflection of the faith I have in Jesus Christ they aren't points earned toward heaven.
What a great joy to know that Jesus loves us no matter what the circumstances. Even the worst that we have done is no match for His unfailing love. When we turn away He waits eagerly for our return. If we don't know Him, He waits with great anticipation for the time of introduction.
Isn't that the friend we all need? Isn't that the friend we want to introduce to people struggling to live in this world?
In the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
