Growing in Hopeনমুনা

God Chose You!

In Ephesians 1:1 Paul calls followers of Jesus “saints”. They were considered saints not because they were perfect, but simply because they were followers of Jesus. They were known as being faithful followers of Jesus. Can you say that you are a faithful follower of Jesus? 

In verses 3-6, Paul tells us the followers of Jesus (including you) that we are chosen by the One True God. Our Heavenly Father, the God who created the heavens and the earth, chose us before the world ever began. As you read the Bible, you will notice that no one ever chooses God, He always chooses us first. 

God choosing us and our response to follow Jesus, makes us “holy and blameless". Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This is known as the “great exchange”, where God took the penalty of our sin away, and credited us with the righteousness of Jesus. It is only by Jesus’ righteousness, we can enter heaven.  

Next, Paul tells us we are “adopted” into the family of God. This means in Christ, we are children of God. In Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children, even if they had been slaves. It is important to understand the benefits that we have in Christ as children of God! 

Everything God has done for us is by His grace. Grace simply means that God gives us what we do not deserve. We deserved death in Hell (Romans 6:23), but we receive eternal life in Heaven by God’s grace!

Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, I know that I am not perfect. I mess up a lot. But I also know that through Jesus, Your perfect righteousness is given to me and it makes me perfect in Your eyes. I thank You for covering my sin with Jesus’ broken body. This gift is the greatest gift of all! Thank you God! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit! Amen.