Daily Devotion: Chosen to Receive Grace

Scripture:
Ephesians 1: 3-14

Main Verses:
Ephesians 1: 4-6
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Observation:
The apostle Paul greets the people addressed in his letters with a prayer that grace and peace be with them. Clearly, Paul acknowledges the truth that these two come only from the Heavenly Father and His Son, for without grace, we would not receive immeasurable blessings from God. These blessings are not material possessions or the things of this world. He reminded the people of Ephesus of these blessings that they have received through Jesus Christ: chosen to be holy (v. 4), adopted as the Father's children (v. 5), and redeemed and forgiven from our sins (v. 7).

Jesus Christ is the source of all these blessings. Can you imagine being chosen to be holy even from the beginning, from the creation of the world? It was the Father's divine will. He has chosen those people who he wants to adopt as His children that despite the sinful nature of our being, He has personally and freely given us salvation through Jesus Christ. It is not by any of our works, but it is God's grace at work!

Application:
What an honor it is to know that God has chosen us for a life of holiness even before the creation of this world! As chosen people, this does not give us the passport to boast, but this should motivate us to share to others the amazing grace of our Father and let them experience God's blessings. We need to always remember that we have been redeemed and forgiven from our sins because of the Father's grace. We need to be always thankful for this blessing and praise God for his glory. We need to lead a life worthy of the grace that God has freely given to us through His Only Son Jesus.

Prayer:
Father, I can never thank you enough for your saving grace. Thank you that you have chosen me for a life of holiness, for redeeming me, and for forgiving my sins. Let my life be worthy and blameless in your sight at all times. AMEN.