The list of the ways in which God has blessed us seems never-ending. The first chapter of Ephesians contains a smorgasbord of good things.
- He sealed us with the Spirit (1:13). God gives his Holy Spirit as a guarantee. When the Spirit comes we know that our inheritance is secure.
- He has given us an inheritance (1:14). The day is coming when we will receive the fullness of the inheritance that is ours. There is an eternal hope for us–with eternal joy and fulfilment.
- He made us alive (2:5). When we put our trust in Christ, he gives us new life. Although we were physically alive, we were spiritually dead in transgressions and sins. Because God is ‘rich in mercy’ he made us come alive in spirit with eternal life–eternal in both duration and quality.
- He raised us up (2:6). Having come alive in Christ, we also share in his ascension. Just as Jesus himself was raised up to a place of exaltation, and authority over the realms of darkness, so, too, are we.
- He seated us with Christ in heavenly realms (2:6). Christ ‘sat down’ in a place of rest and authority when he ascended to heaven. The great victory over Satan had been won. We too share in his conquest.
To read more on this topic see Living in the Image of God, Barry Chant (Miranda: Tabor, 2012 available in eBook and Paperback) from which this edited extract is taken.