Skip to main content

No Matter What

blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one blessing us in all spiritual blessings... predestining us for adoption as his own... highly favoring us in the Beloved, having redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses...*

God put on my heart to meditate on these scriptures, no matter what, I am blessed with adoption, redemption, the forgiveness of sin. No matter what circumstances this life brings. No matter what storm comes our way, if through sickness we are facing our own mortality, no matter what let us be reminded we are adopted, redeemed, forgiven. Lord we pray, help us keep our mind on the that of heaven, and be grateful for the blessings we have in Christ. Though we exist treasure in a fragile jar of clay, pressed from all sides, emptied, thrown about, and cast down...* We are adopted, redeemed, forgiven. In these three blessings alone I have a lot to be grateful for, no matter what.

he predestined us for adoption to the extent of his own through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.*

Adoption, it is an amazing thing, God chose us, predestined us for adoption, before the creation of the world. We could just stop here and be very grateful, God chose me and adopted me. The concept is difficult to wrap our minds around so Paul prays, that we would be enlightened so to comprehend the hope to which we have been called and the inheritance we have among the saints. Adoption as sons includes an inheritance among the saints, the holy. The men in the Hall of Faith the writer of Hebrews tells us were looking at it from a distance, knowing they were strangers and exiles in the land, longing for a better home, a heavenly one.* They testified of their faith not receiving the promise, for God had something better in mind so that the goal would not be reached apart from us.* I am grateful that I have such hope and an inheritance among the saints.

Now when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons.*

According to the good pleasure of his will, he chose us, predestined us for adoption as His own. This happened, as Paul writes, when we heard the gospel of our salvation, the word of truth, and believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until he takes possession of his own.* Think about what it means to be a guarantee of our inheritance, it is a formal promise or assurance; a pledge to redeem, to pay another person's debt. This sealing is equivalent to entering the kingdom of God, as Jesus said, one must be born from above, of the Spirit, to enter.* Jesus came to give us the right to become children of God, this is through believing, in which we are born unto His kingdom, not of human stock or will or decision but of the will of God.* God adopted us as sons, "now, because we are sons God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying Abba Father."* God adopts us by putting His Spirit within us, it is why the Spirit is one of adoption. The Spirit is the pledge or guarantee of our inheritance, of our adoption.* I am grateful no matter what that I have been adopted into the kingdom of God and sealed by His Spirit awaiting the redemption of His people.

In him, we are chosen, predestined according to the purpose of him who works out everything according to the purpose of his will,*

God chose me, by grace, predestined me according to His purpose, and He is working out all things according to that purpose. Paul already told us what that purpose was, why He chose us which was to exist holy and in His presence in love. This is why He predestined us for adoption as His own. This purpose or plan God had before he created the world. For what purpose did he create the world? So to have a people of His own, exiting in His presence, in love. He would be their God and they would be his people, and He would walk among them.* How could we exist in his presence in love? In this, we see the idea of consecration, a people set apart, the very same concept in the Old Covenant, but unlike the Old the sign of our circumcision is inward, that of the heart by the Spirit.* We see the issue, the barrier or dividing wall, that He is holy and we are born into a sinful nature. But here is how he is working that out according to His plan. To be in His presence we need to be holy, like Him. So there is more to this purpose, than just love, we see the condition of holiness. God is love and God is holy. Paul tells us how through God's plan he is accomplishing this. Surely, as an adopted son who shares in his holy character, I can be in his presence in love. No matter what He is working out for good to those loved of God, we are being conformed to the image of His Son. 

now, we know because all things are working together for good to those loved of God because those who He foreknew also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son...*

Is he working out good to those who love God or to those who are loved of God? We love God because he first loved us, he chose us, and even the most rebellious of us he chose and is working out all for our good. God hates unrighteousness but loves righteousness. How is God dealing with the issue of sin and His holiness so that His plan and purpose is being accomplished? How can we be in His presence, blameless and loved? We are blessed with spiritual blessings in Christ, He has chosen us, adopted us through His Spirit, redeemed and forgiven our sin, but it doesn't end there, the purpose is being worked out according to His plan, He is conforming us to the image of His Son. I am grateful no matter what, He predestined me for adoption and is working out all things for my good.

to the praise of his glory, the grace which he highly favored us in the Beloved, in him having redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the trespasses...*

Redemption, the forgiveness of sin, the outcome of being highly favored in the Beloved. It is interesting to me that Paul begins his letter not with by grace are you saved through faith nor with a message of repentance but with the concept that we are chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven. And he prays that we may be enlightened to comprehend all the spiritual blessings from the riches of his grace and glory, which we are blessed with in Christ Jesus. We see the concept of redemption in the story of Ruth, though their inheritance was lost, a family member redeemed them by paying the debt. The lineage of Christ comes through Ruth, speaking of the promise of inheritance is by grace through faith and to tell us of the coming redeemer, who would redeem us or buy back the inheritance which Adam had given up for a piece of fruit. No matter what, I am grateful to my redeemer.

justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.*

Justification is by grace through redemption, it is the means by which we are made righteous before God. Redemption comes not through gold and silver but through the precious blood of the Lamb. His blood, this is the price paid. "Therefore at the present justified in his blood, much more saved from the wrath of God."* Should we not be thankful that we are justified and saved from God's wrath? Just like there is much to the concept of adoption so there is to redemption and the forgiveness of sin.  So we pray that we would be enlightened to these things, so to have the mindset that no matter what, we comprehend we are favored in the Beloved, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven.

Redeemed
Labels:

Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

The New Living Way

The New Living Way "... Now, at the present released from the Law, having died in that which held us captive, so that we serve in newness of Spirit and not the old written code " -- Romans 7:16 Paul states that we are now united to Christ in his death and also raised with him into newness of life. What held them captive was sin but also the Law, it was a guardian until the appointed time God would send a Messiah (see School Master ). Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe how we are released from the Law; like a wife whose husband dies, now she is released from the Law and can marry another, so also have we died with Christ and are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant. The purpose of this is that we live in a new living way of the Spirit and not fleshly through the old written code or Mosaic Law. " So then brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you exist by creation of another, the one raising you f...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness

  New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness The New Testament presents a vibrant and multifaceted picture of spiritual growth, not as a static event but as a dynamic, lifelong journey for the believer. This journey, with emphasis on a strong foundation, progresses through a transformative process of maturity forged by endurance, ultimately aiming for the profound goal of experiencing the "fullness of God in Christ." The Foundation: A New Creation The inception of growth in Christ is marked by a radical spiritual new birth, a foundational shift that defines the Christian experience. It is not merely a moral reformation, but a divine act of creation. The apostle Paul declares this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come ." This new creation is initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are justified and reconciled to God through His sacrifice. ...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...
Read more

Putting On the New Self

Putting On the New Self Theme: Spiritual Growth & Identity in Christ Key Scripture: “And to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) 🕊️ Day’s Reflection The Christian journey is not about becoming a better version of our old selves. It is about walking in The New Living Way , putting on the new man created in the likeness of God. Scripture calls us to put on the new man , and this call is not symbolic or abstract. It is a command grounded in spiritual truth and lived out in daily walking as Christ walked. 📜 Scripture for Meditation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) “To put off your old man, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of...
Read more