Ephesians 1:3-8, New Living Translation

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are United in Christ. Even before he made the world…”

Feelings of guilt and shame can be overwhelming. Maybe we feel that we are too far gone and that we have done too many horrible things for God to even think about saving us by His wonderful grace. I want to reveal the truth to us in this very moment. These thoughts do not come from the Lord! Here are two scriptures I want to share with you that is straight from the word of God!

1. Romans 8:1-2 (NLT): “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

2. Ephesians 1:3-8 (NLT): “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united in Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”

I know this is a lot of odd scripture, but the words of God give life more than anything I could write or speak. Please read those scriptures again. Take your time and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and reveal the truth! 

We are blessed to be God’s children! Everything in those scriptures He wanted to do! It gave Him pleasure to unite you and I to Christ, to give His one and only Son to free us from the power of sin and death! And He did not leave us as orphans but has adopted us into His family and given us His life-giving Spirit to lead us into truth and minister to us. 

We have an enemy who wants to keep these very truths from being sealed in our hearts and minds. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) says, “Satan, who is the good of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” Jesus Himself said, “Anyone with ears to heart should listen and understand!” (Matthew 11:15, NLT) Keep in mind, Satan conceals to steal, God reveals to heal. 

Paul gives us a warning in Ephesians 6:10-12 (NLT) which says, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

I encourage you to follow the word of God! Be alert and aware! The enemy will come to steal from you, but remember, you are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, you are united with Christ. You are loved and chosen. This is what God wanted to do and it gave Him great pleasure to do it! Good loves you and has a plan for you! Keep your hand in His and do not let go! Where Christ is, He has prepared a place for you. It’s far beyond anything in this world and beyond your imagination! His love conquers all!