Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Chosen, sealed, and inherited in love

Bible Reading: :Ephesians 1:3-14

Key verse 13b -14
  
when you believed you were marked in him with a seal ,the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our 
inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.

DEVOTION

Acts 19 details Paul’s interesting and successful missionary journey to Ephesus. Several years later, Paul writes to the Ephesians from prison to encourage the believers and remind them of the Gospel message which unites them. The letter begins with a Jewish poem which praises God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who through His death has made it possible for anyone to be adopted into God’s family. As stated in verse 5, God’s redemptive plan for humanity was not spontaneous and circumstantial, rather, it was from eternity past - God had already chosen a covenant people to bless. This covenant people was promised to the patriarch, Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and Paul points out in verse 12 the Jewish people who were “first” a part of the family of God. Then in verse 13, he describes how those outside of the Abrahamic covenant can also be included in Christ: through the hearing and believing of the Gospel message. The crux of this passage—and, in many ways, of the Christian faith itself, is found in verse 13b-14. Here, Paul explains first the manner in which one is saved, and second, takes place at the moment of salvation. Firstly, salvation comes through the hearing of the Gospel truth and belief in it. Secondly, at the moment of salvation, the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit as evidence of his or her salvation. Paul beautifully states in these verses our reason for hope, salvation and faith in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Lord, teach us the simple Gospel. Allow the profound truth Jesus’ death and resurrection move our hearts to believe in you

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The truth of the Gospel welcomes us into the family of God
 

Manna Thomas

 The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Carrollton

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