Bible Society of South Africa
Ds Hein Barnard

Forgiveness – Day 19

Paul spent a long time in Ephesus during his missionary journeys. There was a special relationship between him and the Ephesians. After the normal introductions, a Greek letter’s body would focus on thanksgiving – and Paul gave reasons for his gratitude.

Bible text(s)

Ephesians 1

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. 4Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him.

Because of his love 5God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his sons and daughters — this was his pleasure and purpose. 6Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son! 7For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, 8which he gave to us in such large measure!

In all his wisdom and insight 9God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 10This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

11All things are done according to God's plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning. 12Let us, then, who were the first to hope in Christ, praise God's glory!

13And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised. 14The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are his. Let us praise his glory!

Ephesians 1:3-14GNBOpen in Bible reader

Forgiveness in the Pauline Epistles – 1

The grace of God reaches back into eternity.  Before creation, God had already predestined salvation for a people – believers like you and me who would overcome all possible obstacles.  We have been set free from the slavery of sin and Christ paid with his blood to make us free people.  We do not deserve God’s grace, nor do we have a right to it; God reaches out to us with love and grace.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
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