LEARNING DAILY

Ephesians 1:3-6, 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, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.

Pastor Ed Newton opened his message this weekend noting the requirement to update our ID’s (known as the REAL ID) so it had that star on it; this would certify each person as certified /registered to get in Federal buildings and allow one to get on an airplane. The point he getting to is the Believer’s identity begins with their relationship with Jesus Christ; the Believer’s identity is centered in Him. That means the Believer “does not earn what he/she already has been given” when saved by Jesus Christ” (from the Listener Guide Target Statement). Notice the part of the verses highlighted – as a Believer “you do not need to chase blessings because you already have them” (EN) based on your relationship to God through Jesus Christ. “0pen your Bible to [read/study/meditate on it] see what it says about your blessings. 1 Peter 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” Romans 8:17 tells us we are joint heirs with Christ through our salvation in Him. “Whatever Jesus has purchased for the Believer blesses him/her because of their access to “heavenly places.” (EN).

Pastor’s second point was that each Believer is chosen. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” Being chosen is not based on performance (Listener Guide). This is for all people, for “whosoever would believe that God would send His only Son to die on a cross in their place” (John 3:16). Then, the Believer “should be holy and blameless before Him.” “God knew there would that every Believer would have a wrestling match with the world. Being ‘in Christ’ changes everything for the Believer! We are called saints, holy, a holy priesthood. The challenge for each of us is to live holy, blameless lives; it is not about being sinless, it is about the enemy being unable to say I am guilty before Christ. Because of what Christ did for the Believer at Calvary, when He looks at the Believer, even when the devil accuses him/her He sees you as holy.” (EN).

“In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ.” “Before one was ‘in Christ’ he/she was an object of wrath, “dead in their trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1 – read through verse 4 for yourself). But God provided a way to become adopted sons and daughters into His family. Ephesians 2:4-5 is clear; “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved!” “God did all He could do to adopt us into His family; He sent His Son” (EN).

Pastor’s last point was God’s salvation grace is “glorious” (Ephesians 1:6); that same “grace” keeps the Believer! “God’s grace never runs out in heaven! The Believer never stops being a son/daughter; nothing can stop God’ love for you!” (PN). God has given the believe a new identity – His! “What Christ has spoken over you is stronger than anything the world speaks about you” (Takeaway statement on the Listener Guide).