Scripture
Vs 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Vs 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Vs 5 In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
Vs 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Vs 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
Vs 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
Vs 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
Vs 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—
to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Vs 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,
Vs 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Observation
Here Paul lays out as big a picture as possible of the goodness and grandeur and sovereignty of God.
This is a picture of the full timeline of everything past and of everything future.
From “before the foundations of the world” to “the fullness of time”
And it’s all about Him!
All of it! All of time!! Every second!
From before the first until after the last!
And, yet, He makes us part of it! He allows us to participate.
Bit it’s so much more than “allow”. God is happy to include us in His plan!
It pleases Him! … He unfolds His will in us “according to His good pleasure”!
Look at the string Paul mentions …
“He chose us …”
“He blessed us …”
“He predestined us …”
“He has given us …”
“He lavished on us …”
“He made known to us …”
WHY?
“In order that we … might be for the praise of His glory.”
Application
So I have “every spiritual blessing in Christ”. … Every spiritual blessing!
Do I still live and act like I want something more?
As if every spiritual blessing isn’t enough.
Every spiritual blessing is not enough, only if I’m not using them for their intended purposes: The Praise of His Glory!
I could have every tool a mechanic needs.
If I’m not using them for their purpose, it won’t be enough.
I could have every instrument a surgeon needs.
If I’m not using them for their intended purpose, it won’t be enough.
I could have every piece of equipment a farmer needs.
If I’m not using them for their intended purpose, it won’t be enough.
I have “every spiritual blessing”. So then … Is it enough?
When I feel it’s not, am I perhaps using the blessings of God to praise myself?
If that’s the case, it will never be enough.
I will never be content until I use the blessings God has graced me with for the praise of His glory.
This “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will”.
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for your incredible grace.
Everything thing I have or am is because of your grace.
May it be used for your glory.
In Jesus name.
Amen.