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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
In the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he speaks both of God being “Blessed” (as the NIV’s Praise be is sometimes translated) by our joyful acceptance of his grace and purposes; and a seven-fold blessing we receive from Him. (Blessed be – or Praise to – having the connotation of “Bless You” and thanksgiving, but possibly an acknowledgment of the blessing He receives in our expressions of gratitude and obedience as well.)
The seven blessings Paul identifies for us through the Ephesians are as follows: First, He blesses us with “every spiritual blessing,” salvation being uppermost in our minds but daily guidance, grace, the Holy Spirit’s intercession for us, etc. quickly follow as reasons for praise and thanksgiving.
Second, He chooses us as his own. To be sure, we need to respond to his offer of grace and mercy, but he instigated the offer and made all the provisions for the achieving of our redemption. Part of our response then is to strive to be holy – or set apart—considered blameless by the One who knows all things; not yet perfect but with nothing held against us, becoming “…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that (we) may declare the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Third, He adopts us; as “…those who are led by the Holy Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 “It’s as if we were street kids with a criminal record, and God in his love not only paid our fines and cleared our names, but adopted us into his own family…”1 (See Galatians 4:5)
Fourth, He rescued or redeemed us. An interesting concept with deep meaning. To Hebrew readers, the concept of redemption was heavily influenced by their covenant history with God and the sacrificial system He designed to free them from the guilt of sin. Greek readers would primarily have related redemption to freedom from slavery, which was so prevalent in their society; a release from bondage by a master who had legally acquired the rights to their services but set them free instead. (In this case, paid for with his blood. 1 Corinthians 16:20)
Fifth, He has informed, enlightened or, “…made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,…” Ephesians 1:9 All things before Christ being a shadow or type of what was to come. (Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 8:5,9:23 & 10:1) Christ Jesus, in whom we are incorporated at our profession of faith, becoming the key to real life.
Sixth, He acquired us as an inheritance. “…we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,…” Romans 8:16,17 Could this have a double meaning as well? It is wonderful indeed that we have inherited God and his principles of saving grace and redemptive mercy, but beyond that, we are God’s inheritance – his posterity. Maybe we should ask ourselves: Does he have as much reason to revel in his inheritance as we do in ours?
And seventh, God has sealed us; a term we might not be all that familiar with. We often consider this to mean our salvation is ‘signed, sealed and delivered’, a done deal for eternity; which is certainly true. But in ancient times, a “seal” was often the sign of ownership, signifying property and possession. And elsewhere Paul explicitly references this same idea by stating, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 (See also Matthew 20:28 & 2 Peter 2:1) This seal or deposit manifesting itself in the presence of the Holy Spirit, his indwelling of us making it obvious (or at lest he should and will if we allow) that something is different about us; that our hearts and minds belong to a being, a cause, an ideal other than the “world’s”. His designation as a deposit being no less significant, referring to a down payment or first installment of something even better to come. (All this on top of his function as an intercessory agent for us. See Romans 8:26) The Greek word used here for deposit – arrabon, actually signifying an engagement, as in an engagement ring; the pledge and promise of a long and mutually pleasurable future together.
In response to such an abundance of blessing, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:23,24
1From Michael Green’s A Prayer Journey With The Apostle Paul, Zondervan Publishing
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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