Title: In Christ / Ephesians 1:3-14
In the content Sudo
Ephesians 1:3-14, Judges 7:19-23
In today's text, the Apostle Paul says that God has given us three spiritual blessings to those who believe.
First, being chosen by God (4-6)
The second is the redemption of Jesus Christ and receiving the grace of the forgiveness of sins (7-12)
Third, the sealing of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee for those who are being saved (13)
If you read these words carefully, you will realize that the Apostle Paul spoke in the Trinity. The first blessing refers to the blessing of the Father, who chose us before the creation of the world, made us holy and without blemish, and made us His children (4-5). The second blessing refers to the blessing of the Son who received the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ (7). The third blessing is the blessing of the Holy Spirit who has been sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that we are children of God who have been saved (13).
What does it mean to live 'in Christ'? We live by the grace of Christ Jesus. It is about living in obedience to Jesus. It is about seeing the world with the values of Jesus' words, discerning the world, and acting. I can't, but in Christ I can. I can't go but I can go in Jesus name. It is difficult for me to bear, but in the grace of the Lord I can handle it. This is what a person who lives in Christ looks like.
To believe in Jesus is to live 'in Christ' and to live 'with Christ'. Jesus has already said this.
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you want.
Then it will be done. John 15:7
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will go in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
And the Apostle Paul, in numerous places, says that the life of a true Christian is a life that is 'in Christ' and 'with Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ
So it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me... Galatians 2:20
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your body is what you received from God
Don't you know that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you... 1 Corinthians 6:19
It seems that all people live by what they see, but in fact, even those who do not believe live by what they cannot see. Think of the words people like. Happiness, love, peace, satisfaction, reward, all these things are all invisible to the naked eye.
As I always said, there are two areas in human life. One is the visible realm of life, and the other is the invisible realm of life. Because only the realm of life is visible to our eyes, everyone seems to be in the realm of life, but in reality, everyone lives in an invisible realm of life. People live in the house, but they are actually living in the home, people are living with money, but in reality they are living in pursuit of the happiness that money gives. Just as having multiple homes doesn't mean having multiple families, not having multiple homes doesn't mean you don't have multiple homes. Some people have several houses, but all of them have collapsed and there are no families. Others live in someone else's house, but enjoy a beautiful family overflowing with love among family members. When you look at it that way, you realize that everyone thinks they live by what they see, but in reality they live by what they cannot see.
Because we live in a material-centered world, even Christians can't really distinguish between invisible eternal values and material worldliness. In today's generation, it even seems unclear whether Christian values are of God or of the world. However, in this current world, true Christians believe that what is visible is temporary, what is invisible is eternal, and they understand and know that they should be people of right faith who can enjoy the spiritual blessings God has given to them and live happily.
Now, the offering you gave will become a trumpet that drives out unbelief and raises the voice of the gospel. The zeal of faith you shared together will be a torch that illuminates the souls of the people in darkness. I believe that God will lead us to do so. I hope that you will continue to pray for helping churches in need and to establish a memorial church in Vietnam.
Defeating 135,000 with 300 Gideons is unimaginable to unbelievers, so what God's people do is unimaginable to those who live in the world with what they see. Because they do not know that God is working in them. It's amazing to see God create great things through His people. All the evidences of the Bible and the history of Christianity that has flowed through the ages is the history of these people of God. It is the work of God who makes the impossible possible.
That is why the Apostle Paul confessed:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me Philippians 4:13
It is a confession that we can do anything through the grace of God who chose us by grace and made us children by giving us the grace of forgiveness, and the Lord who anointed us with the Holy Spirit as a sign of salvation. It is a confession that we can live the life of the Lord's children, without becoming discouraged even when we are in poverty, not being arrogant even when we are in abundance, and not leaning to the left or right in any position.
To all the saints who have been chosen as children of God and who live with spiritual blessings, I bless you that you will become capable true Christians who can do all things in Christ Jesus and in the grace of the Lord who gives you strength. I bless you as blessed saints who always walk the right path of faith in Christ.
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