Disciples take God and His Word seriously regarding forgiveness and reconciliation with Him
• In Christ, I have been marked as God’s possession with a seal: the promised Holy Spirit. I now live to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:11-23
You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 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.
~ Ephesians 1:13-14
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Pondering Point
When you become a disciple of Jesus, God puts a deposit in you – His Holy Spirit. With that Spirit, God guarantees your inheritance with Him. You can, as they say, “bank on it”. You now exist, not to live for sin or for self, but for the praise of His glory. Let me repeat that differently: As disciples of Jesus, we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who lives in us. And we don’t want to let sin co-mingle with Jesus in our bodies, but crucify sin. Apostle Paul says it this way:
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ
lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the
Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Prayer for the Day
Father God, help me to find my true identity by living for You – and by allowing Jesus Christ, who lives in me, to shine through in my daily life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.