Our hope, peace and encouragement come from knowing that we as believers can be rooted and grounded IN Christ and because of that, we can have a different perspective and look at life through His eyes. Darrel Johnson, in his book on the book of Ephesians, speaks of ‘An Alternative Reality’. There is a reality of the physical world, but there is a spiritual reality that is more powerful, significant and has the ability to impact the way we live out our lives.
The book Ephesians in the Bible helps us to understand that in Christ we have a different/alternative reality to our 5-sense experience through the world we live in. It helps us understand that in Christ we have a spiritual reality, that the unseen world is a real world. It reminds us that in Christ, there is more to our reality than what we see and feel. So whether it is a time of Victory or whether it seems like you are walking through the Valley of the shadow of death. In Christ, we can have an alternate reality. We have an opportunity to fix our eyes on Jesus and draw from the reality of who we are IN Christ. When in times of Victory, it keeps us humbled in surrender and awe of His Grace and Mercy. When in times of valley, it reassures us, keeps us anchored in peace and comfort, as we navigate the complexities, disappointments, and distresses of life that come with being a human being on planet earth.
The Book of Ephesians is divided into 2 parts
1. The Good News of the Gospel. The sheer wonder of being ALIVE IN CHRIST
(Chapters 1- 3)
2. From this revelation of knowing who we are in Christ, Paul speaks to the potential within us to be able to live out this Good News through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Chapters 4- 6)
It starts with and continues with the empowering of the Spirit of God. We see that when Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, he was physically in a prison in Rome waiting for his appeal to Caesar. But he didn’t have his natural glasses on. He had his spiritual glasses on. Because, despite being located physically where he was, despite the Ephesians facing what they were facing in Ephesus, these letters, full of praise to God and encouragement to the people, remind them that they are first and foremost IN Christ. Whilst he was in prison in Rome, he was more aware and in awe of the fact that He was spiritually IN Christ - In fact, In Christ /With or Through Christ is mentioned 36 times in these 6 Chapters. Both Paul in Ephesians is making a statement IN CHRIST 36 times in 6 chapters, and Jesus 11 times in 10 verses. It is important to us as followers of Christ to give it attention.
| Ephesians 1:3-5 AmpBlessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will |
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THROUGH CHRIST, WE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY
Adoption is a legal formal act. In many countries across Europe, the adoption certificate replaces the birth certificate. The birth certificate is still in existence/archived, but a new certificate is granted with a new name. Adoption is a lifelong commitment providing stability, security, and the same legal rights, such as inheritance, as a biological child.
When we are adopted into the family of God, we’re not a visiting guest or an imposter; we’re a family member with an inheritance that was bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.
| Ephesians 2:19:And so you are no longer called outcasts and wanderers but citizens with God’s people, members of God’s holy family, and residents of His household. |
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We are no longer slaves to sin, but we are children of God. The theologian J. Packer, in his book ‘Knowing God’, said: “adoption is the highest privilege that the Gospel offers.” We have been brought into the most profound relationship, one that has existed before the foundation of the world. A relationship that is central to the universe with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are sons and daughters of the Father that Jesus loves, and we have been made joint heirs with Christ Jesus, whom God loves. All made possible because of Jesus!
| Ephesians 2:13 Amp: But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ. |
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We belong to God, and He belongs to us. God is our Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Throughout the book of Ephesians, Paul refers to God as Father often. It reinforces the theme of adoption and intimate access to God as our loving heavenly father, who wants to have a relationship with us. It reminds us that He is the Father of all of us who believe, and how he can break down barriers between us and unify us.
You may not feel like this, but maybe you could be more intentional when talking to God and refer to Him as your Heavenly Father, friend, or Heavenly Daddy. We can address the Living God as Abba Father.
| Matthew 6:9: Teaching the disciples how to pray - Jesus said start with ‘Our Father’ pray |
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THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS SEALED OUR SALVATION.
| Ephesians 1:13 NASBIn Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise |
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In the days of old, a seal was an identifying mark. It was to send letters and documents, and a branded /seal was to identify who they belonged to, to prevent them from being stolen. There are different examples of seals in the Old and New Testaments, but it is ultimately indicative of ownership and protection. At salvation, we are not sealed with a thing - we are sealed with God’s own Spirit. His Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts, providing so much for us.
| John 14:16-17 (Amp)And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another ]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you |
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THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL REMIND US OF WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST AND THAT WE BELONG TO GOD.
| Romans 8:15-17 ERVThe Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, “ Abba, Father.” And the Spirit himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children. |
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THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH.
| John 16:13 (Amp): But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. |
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We can have hope for the future because we have the Spirit of God. God planned our salvation and adoption. Jesus Christ accomplished it through His life and sacrifice on the cross, giving us unlimited access to God our Heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit has sealed our salvation and gives us hope for the future. He comes alongside us to remind us that we are IN CHRIST and helps us to live out our salvation. Whatever your season may look like, be reminded that there is an alternative, Godly reality and perspective that will give you all you need for the days ahead.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
- Write down the “One Thing” that stood out to you from the message. How can you see this in your day-to-day life and apply it this week? Who can you share it with?
- Take a moment to meditate on the alternative reality of being IN CHRIST. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep reminding you of that reality, reminding you that you belong to God.
- You have been legally adopted into God’s family - remind yourself daily about the reality of this adoption - you have been given His name, you are a co-heir with Christ, you have access to God the Father.
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Christ I have a new reality, a secure identity, and a living hope. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and calling me Your child. Help me to see my life through Your eyes and remain rooted and grounded in Christ, no matter what season I am in, Amen