Read Ephesians 1:1-14
“To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful ‘in Christ’ Jesus.”
In Ephesians 1:3–14, in the Greek text that your Bible is originally written in, it’s one sentence. He’s going to tell us nine things right up front of what it means to be in Christ. Keep an eye out for the phrases ‘in Christ.’ So, Paul coins this phrase, “in Christ,” and he’s echoing the very words of Jesus himself.
John 15:5. Jesus says: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
The apostle Paul identifies the church, reminds them who they are before giving them instruction / correction. This is an example of how to approach a brother with a father’s heart.
A father seeks to remind, instruct, correct, and cover. A troubled brother seeks to point out, criticize, & expose. Paul was trying to help you, and me, and all of God’s children understand their identity, who we are before telling us what to do. Not who we think we are, not who others say we are, but who Father God says we are.
Power statement: It’s not who you are that holds you back, but who you think you’re not.
DECLARATION: “I AM A SAINT, EMPOWERED BY GRACE TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE.”
1. What nine things does Paul tell us about our identity in vv. 3-14?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Write down five things in your past that have clouded your understanding of your identity in Christ. Looking at those five things, declare this prayer out loud, by yourself with your spouse, or together with your family.
Prayer: Jesus, I thank you that before you made the world, you loved me and chose me in Christ to be holy and without fault in your eyes. You are the God who makes all things new. Today in an act of faith, I receive your entire newness in my life. I don’t hold back anything from You. All the old things have passed away in my life, and I am a new creation, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
Now take that piece of paper and throw it away. You are in Christ! Destiny re-written.