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Paul opens with praise to God, who has blessed his people with every spiritual blessing because they are united with Christ. Even before the world was made, God loved them and chose them in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. In his love, he adopted them as his own children through Jesus Christ, bringing him great pleasure.

Through Christ’s blood, they have been redeemed and their sins are forgiven. God has poured out his grace richly and has revealed his mysterious plan—to bring everything together under the authority of Christ. Because they are united with him, they have received an inheritance, and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of all that God has promised.

Paul prays that their hearts will be filled with light so they can understand the confident hope God has given to those he called, the riches of his glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of his power toward those who believe. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion.

Then Paul reminds them of who they once were—dead in their sins, following the ways of this world and the ruler of the unseen world. They lived in disobedience, fulfilling the desires of their sinful nature, and were subject to God’s anger.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved them so much, that even while they were dead because of their sins, he gave them life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that they have been saved. God raised them up with Christ and seated them with him in the heavenly realms because they are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved them by his grace when they believed. They cannot take credit for this—it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things they have done, so none can boast. For they are God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus to do the good things he planned for them long ago.

Paul also reminds them that once they were far away—excluded from God’s people and without hope. But now they have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Christ himself has brought peace, breaking down the wall of hostility that separated people. He made both groups into one new people, reconciling them to God through the cross.

Now they are no longer strangers and foreigners. They are citizens along with all of God’s holy people and members of God’s family. Together, they are being built into a holy temple for the Lord, where God lives by his Spirit.

Verse of the Day: 1 Thessalonians 2:20

Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Action of the Day:

Find true joy in God today!