Is this still relevant?
Albert Bogle
February 06, 2024
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Listen to this daily worship
Ephesians 1: 3-14 (NRSVA)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14 this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Having the assurance that you have been born of the Spirit allows you to grow in faith.
What a wonderful section of scripture we have just read together. There is so much in this passage, but I’d like us to concentrate on verses 13 and 14. Did you know there is a holy seal, a holy invisible mark on you that authenticates you as a Christian? And it is relevant if we are to truly know ourselves.
Just as gold is authenticated with a hallmark that says this is precious metal. So we who call ourselves ‘Christians’ have the presence of the Holy Spirit, shaping us into the likeness of Christ making us aware that we are truly born of the Spirit. It is this mark, which is sometimes referred to in scripture as the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ or the ‘Graces of the Spirit’ that gives us confidence to believe God is at work in our lives. You can look the ‘Graces’ up in Galatians 5: 22.
‘The Fruit of the Spirit’ reflects love, joy peace, kindness and self control along with other default stops of goodness. When we grasp this then we can begin to explore the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ which include faith.
Take a moment now to think about what I’m going to say next. The gifts of the Spirit are authenticated by the fruit of the Spirit. Don’t be like some people who in their immaturity search after the gifts of the Spirit not realising that it is the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives that enables us to use the Gifts of the Spirit wisely for the benefit of all, including the gift of faith. It is your kindness, your thoughtfulness, that allows you to use the tool box entitled the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ and that includes the gift of faith.
Prayer:
Lord,
Forgive my doubting
Give me the grace
To see myself as you see me
Your child
And when I encounter
The invisible mark of the Spirit at work in my life
Prompting me to explore kindness
Causing me to have a generous heart
Making me calm and trusting
I will humbly welcome
The joy that comes from believing in your providence
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