I have the privilege to serve as a professor at Moody Theological Seminary. When I was hired, I was informed of my benefits. Benefits include vacation time, medical coverage, or retirement savings plans. The older I get and the longer I work the more I see that benefits are just as important as the salary.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul was informing the church in Ephesus of the benefits we have received by being chosen in Christ. In the original Greek (vv. 3–14), Paul writes one long sentence that sets the tone for the rest of the letter, explaining what it means to be in Christ. “In Christ” or “in him” is mentioned at least 10 times in 12 verses and many more times throughout the letter.

Jesus Christ is the source of who we are and all we have as believers. He has chosen us, and as a result, “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing” (v. 3). He has made us “holy and blameless in his sight” (v. 4). He has adopted us (v. 5). He has redeemed and forgiven us (v. 7). He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit and guaranteed us our eternal inheritance (v. 13). All this is done for the praise of His glory!

Unfortunately, many believers live without fully understanding the blessings we have in Christ. God has “made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ” (v. 9). Mystery refers to what was once hidden, but now God has revealed it to us. In this study of Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, we will learn what it means to be in Christ and all it entails to the praise of His glory!

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