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, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ( Ephesians 1:3-6)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavishes on us. 1:7-8a
With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, thing in heaven and earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we who are first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 1:8b-12
In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. 1:13-14
"In him (Christ) you also...were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." The three dots here stand for the journey that takes place on which the "seal" marks us. We hear. We hear the news about how God adopts us and hands us the inheritance of the reign of God...and we trust it...we buy it "hook-line-and-sinker." The Holy Spirit - a complete gift to us - brings it all into being and completion. Do not let anyone ever say to you that there is something more...that you baptism in Christ Jesus is less than someone else's baptism. The story of our God for us is complete and it is announced to us like a water hose from a fire truck that is no contained by anyone and is throw water at everyone and anyone without asking permission or being intentionally directed to some and not others. We can count on being wet with the love of our God and we can expect that the Holy Spirit dwells with us and moves us and will always move us into relationship with our God and one another.
Connection: You are marked. The most dynamic thing that can happen to us today is to remember that eternal fact. Even when we doubt it...even when someone else doubts it about us. We are marked! So...as people sealed by the promised power of the Holy Spirit, what will this day become!?!
Lord, surprise us with your power and love. Lift up our eyes so that we may see in the world around us the possibility of stepping out into this day surrounded and supported by your word of Good News. Amen.
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