Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:3-7 WEB
We bless God when we worship him. We bless God when we praise him. Paul is praising God in this passage and acknowledges the blessings that he gives us, especially the blessings received through Jesus Christ.
The scripture makes clear that God chose us to be his children before the foundation of the world. We are part of his plan and children of God, predestined for adoption through the sacrifice made in Jesus by which we are forgiven of sin.
Redeemed and Forgiven
God Blesses everyone but Christians have spiritual blessings that non-believers do not share. Predestined for adoption, we have a kinship with the Lord because we are his children. Redeemed and forgiven of sin, these blessings are unique to believers in Christ.
It is no wonder that Christians praise the Lord. God has restored us, giving us new life and an eternal promise of life. God expresses his grace through undeserved favor and unearned mercy. The Lord freely gives out of the abundance of his love for us.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for adopting me into your holy family. Because of your grace, I know I am forgiven. I will praise you every day and in eternity. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Now We Believe
