#30 Ephesians 1:4-6 NLT

Ephesians 1:4-6 NLT

Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.

12/18/06-12/20/06

Since God has known us, loved us, and chosen us even before the world was made, then we can be secure in our salvation if we are truly saved. From eternity past God knows all that will happen into eternity future and if He has already chosen you then there is nothing you can do to make Him unchose you. This does not give us excuse to sin. “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin how can we live in it any longer? … Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body… offer yourselves to God… as instruments of righteousness.” (Romans 6:1-3&11-13) If you do not show evidence of the fruit of salvation then you should question the reality of your salvation. We should praise God for the grace He has poured out on us and give thanks to Him by living for His glory alone. Let us remember that God saves us not only out of His mercy, but also in order to bring us to Himself because He wants to. He desires to present us faultless to Himself with exceeding great joy. (Jude 24-25). It is for His own joy as well as ours. Just the thought of fellowship with each one of us for all eternity, brings a smile to God’s face. It was for this purpose, ultimately, for which He created us and saved us, washed us clean in His blood. Let all who are God’s pray, “Thank You, our God and Savior, for loving us, choosing us, washing us, adopting us, and making us Yours alone. May we always remember that Your thoughts of us are filled with love and joy over us for no less reason than that we are Yours. May our hearts be filled with praise to You for all the grace You pour out on us. Fill us with Your presence and pour Your own love and joy into our hearts. To You be all glory because of who You are! Amen.”