Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 1:3-11.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 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. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Paul tells us that we were chosen by God from the very beginning. His love for us is eternal, not a new thing. It is also not something we can earn, but a blessing we are given even though we don’t deserve such a gift.
God loves us no matter what. I’m sure it causes Him pain to see us ignore His commandments and not love one another as He intends. God has given us everything to be used for the good of His children. The only way we can show Him our love in return is by loving one another and being obedient to what we have been taught.
In this passage we are told “because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan” (v. 11). God sent Jesus as our teacher and brother to show us what a life fully lived in His love can be. May we demonstrate Christ’s love to others that all the world may come to Him.
Heavenly Father, we are grateful and humbled that You choose to love us and make us part of Your plan for the salvation of the world. Make us strong in faith to carry the Good News to everyone. Amen.