Ephesians 1

Chosen In Christ Jesus for Spiritual Blessings

Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

An apostle is chosen and sent by Jesus, by the will of God, not man. The letter is sent to the believers in Jesus, the saints (no longer called sinners) which are in Ephesus, a major shipping port in Asia. In this city was the great temple to the goddess Diana. So this was a pagan city with believers in it, much as our own cities. Notice he addresses the saints, and the faithful in Christ Jesus. Perhaps not all who were saved saints were also faithful followers.

Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace is the favor of God and peace, the fruit of the Spirit from God our Father, and his son our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

We are blessed not only with peace but also with all spiritual blessings because we are in Christ Jesus in heavenly places. What are these heavenly places? Where Christ is we are and he is at the right hand of the Father. This means we have access to the very presence of our Father God.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And in the epistle to the Hebrews;

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We have the blessings and full resources of Jesus at the throne of God. Just think of that. We must live as children of the most high God in an evil world.

Chosen

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Wow, think of this, we were chosen by our heavenly father to be in Christ before the foundation of the world! You may have heard from a parent that you were a mistake, not wanted, no good, but God has overruled this foolish talk. God your Father has chosen you, knowing who would also choose him. We need not figure out how this was done, God is to be praised; his ways are beyond our understanding. We are chosen in Jesus, for he is the way for the chosen to come to God the Father; He is the way of forgiveness this is the predetermined way to salvation and eternal life. The finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross was not by accident or misfortune. As Peter spoke to the Jews;

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

It was God's purpose to make a way for our being saved from the punishment of sins. Jesus took our sin and punishment upon himself. Now we have taken with him, his position as a child of God, we are adopted into his family, this also by the will and foreknowledge of God.

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Yes our faith is required to receive his predetermined salvation for us. I believe that I am your adopted son, Thank you Abba Father. You too who read this are the chosen if you desire to be his child. Whosoever will may come to Jesus for salvation.

Accepted In the Beloved

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

We praise you Jesus, for the great honor of your grace given to us. As we confess you with our lips, and believe in you with a whole heart we receive undeserved favor with God. Let everyone who names the name of Jesus, praise him forever.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Redemption means that we are bought by Jesus' shedding of blood and death, from the devil and the destination of hell. Our sins are forgiven and remembered no more and we receive the riches of his glory as adopted children of God. He has given us an abundance of his grace through his divine wisdom and will. We are chosen and adopted, no longer are we undesirable, but God himself has desired us to be his own children and Jesus has paid to make this possible. What a wonderful big brother we have in Jesus, our savior, our friend and our Lord God.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Gathered in Christ

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

A mystery is something not revealed before. What is the mystery of his will? According to his good pleasure God is to gather all things that belong to Christ, both in heaven and on earth and gather them unto himself. The Church belongs to Christ; the body of believers in heaven and on earth. A dispensation is an era of time during which man is tested in respect to obedience to some definite revelation of God's will. The dispensation of the law under the Mosaic Covenant was replaced by the dispensation of grace. The end of all eras will be when we are with God in heaven.

1 Cor 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1 Cor 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Cor 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

What other things may be gathered in Christ? I think also, the prayers and praises of the saints and the tears of the saints, the word of God and the love of God and all things that belong to Christ. How about our testimonies and works, even our crowns of rewards given?

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In Jesus we have obtained an inheritance of eternal life as an adopted child of God. Being predestined; His plan was salvation for us from the beginning of the world; Jesus was the planned way. He has a plan for us too in this life: good works.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Pet 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We are redeemed, bought with a price; the blood of Jesus. We believed the gospel message of truth, that Jesus Christ was our substitute for God's penalty for sins and now we can sing "amazing grace" with all the saints.

1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

We are sealed, identified as owned by the King of Kings. His seal on us is the Holy Spirit of grace and truth. He is the earnest, the down payment and the promise for our eternal future hope. We are purchased and freed to serve our Lord in love. For in Christ Jesus is love and eternal peace. The mystery revealed is the church; the people redeemed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We are a chosen people to live with Christ Jesus forever in his love.

Wisdom and Revelation

Eph 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Nothing pleases the apostle or witness more then to see those led to Christ Jesus continuing in faith and in the love from God. True repentance is turning away from the old life and turning to the new life in Christ. Paul realizes that it is God who builds his church. He gives thanks and prayers for the new church members. They need prayer covering until they learn of the power within, which is the Holy Spirit of truth.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Paul knows what they need as he prays for them. They must learn to ask as well. God is eager to grant them wisdom and this wisdom is from God.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Revelation knowledge is an insight previously not known by us concerning our Lord and his promises. The knowledge of his will and plans for your life as revealed by God and new understanding of the things of God. A revelation to a new believer may be a well-known promise of God to a mature believer. We always should learn new things from the Bible through the Holy Spirit, our teacher. None of us have perfect revelation of the things of God.

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1 Cor 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Paul received revelation from being alone with Jesus, who was risen and glorified with the Father. This same Jesus reveals himself to us, first through his Bible and then through his Spirit and by prayer.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

The hope of his calling is eternal life with the saints of God. May your eyes be opened to understand and to see God's truth. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12) in him we are called unto God's eternal family. We inherit all things with Christ Jesus and have received the earnest of his power, the Holy Spirit to become children of God and the channels of light and blessings to others. His mighty power works in and through us as we submit to his will.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

To release God's power we must pray in his will and obey him. He leads us by his Holy Spirit, which is the power of God in our lives.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

...according to the working of his mighty power,

Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

God is all-powerful and well able to fulfill his purposes. Jesus had finished his work, even to death on the cross. But, death cannot hold God's son. By the power of God's Holy spirit he has raised up Jesus and placed him beside himself in power and in glory. He will raise us up also, to be with him.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Jesus is above all principalities and power, Father God having put all things under his feet.

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

And gave Jesus to be the head over all things in the church. The church is the body of believers, Christ the head. The head is above the mind and controls the movements of the body, which is the church. We are the body who is with Christ in heavenly places. He is the all in all and we are his. Praise God to be so honored! We shall live eternally with our King.