Ephesians 1:7-9

"In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor" Ephesians 1:7.

My friends in Christ... I don't want to make a sermon from this one verse, but what are we to make of the certainty of salvation from reading this verse? There are more specific scriptures to show us how confident we should be concerning our salvation, but can't you hear it in this verse also?

For years now, the more valid question about salvation for me has been: was I... or, is she... or, are you, "In Him"? Paul says, "In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses)".

Go with me, to the cross, if you will, with The Holy Spirit for just a moment... Can we look at Him... there, pouring out His blood for our trespasses? Could it have been a mistake in the saving of Preston... and what of your salvation? Convinced, in my heart of hearts, that I was desperately serious in my belief that He was there... calling me into repentance, and filling my soul with joy!

Instantly, exposing my dark thoughts, which had seemed only known to myself, until that moment! Did He make a mistake that night? Was His blood wasted on me, that I would now lose my salvation somehow? Or, have I created my own God... or, been deceived and believe that I can live in both worlds... doing what I want, in the presence of God?

Read this verse again! "In Him", we "have" redemption in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor. This begs the question, once and forever... am I in Him! If we have never read anything except these verses from Ephesians, already we see that we have nothing to do with being saved, beyond accepting it... And so how do we come to think we can lose it? Please pray with God on this word, dear friend. And what of these riches, Paul speaks of...

8. "Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence)"

I don't need to explain what lavish means, except that, the implication is of being considerably more than what would be expected! But consider this, that in wisdom and understanding... Jesus had many things to say to his disciples; but they could not bear them all at once; so, little by little he has led us on, and led us up, abounding always in his grace, and only limiting the display of it by our capacity to receive it.

In our focus on God's love, we are growing from spiritual milk on, into greater truths, which too, is revealed in another passage! Listen to this verse...

"If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary" 1 Corinthians 8:2.

And so, Paul continues on in this thought of God's riches being lavished in the form of wisdom in the next verse.

9. "Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him."

God purposed all of the revealing of Himself in Christ because it pleased Him. We know there was only one time in the life of Christ, where He did not know His Father's plan and that, referring to the exact hour and day of His final return. We have not yet imagined all that Christ has for us still.

Mysteries of God are spiritual truths known only by revelation. God reveals his mysteries to those who are obedient to the gospel. Some of God's mysteries are yet to be revealed. Let us consider these thoughts together!

"And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" Matt 13:11.

"And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody)" 1 Cor. 13:2.

Let's pick up with Ephesians verses 1:10-12 next time.

I love you.