Scriptures for Today
Ephesians 1:7-14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Introduction — The Book of Ephesians
The book of Ephesians focuses on what believers have in Christ. It lays out spiritual truth clearly—what God has done, what He has given, and what is secure.
This passage is not telling you how to get saved. It is telling you what you already have if you are saved. It deals with redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, and being sealed. Everything here is about what God has already done and secured. GOD DID IT. You didn’t do it. GOD DID.
What Happened Before This? (Ephesians 1:1-6)
Before this, Paul explains that believers are chosen in Christ and accepted in the beloved. He shows that salvation is rooted in God’s grace, not human effort.
He emphasizes that everything is according to God’s will and for His glory. That sets the foundation—what follows is not based on what you do, but on what God has already done.
Redemption Through His Blood
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Redemption means being bought back. The price is the blood of Jesus Christ. That is how forgiveness comes—through His blood, not through works or effort.
Colossians 1:14
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
This is already possessed. “We have redemption.” It is not future. It is present. Again, “we have redemption through his blood.” We have the forgiveness of sins already. How?
According to the riches of HIS GRACE. We don’t deserve the forgiveness of sins. We don’t deserve to be saved from our sins. But God loves you so much so Jesus saved you from your sins by grace through faith.
Grace That Overflows
Ephesians 1:8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
God did not give grace in a limited way. It says He “abounded” toward us. That means overflow, more than enough.
This includes wisdom and prudence. God’s plan is not random or careless. Everything He has done in salvation is done with perfect understanding.
“Wisdom” in Scripture is understanding things the way God understands them. It’s not just knowledge. It’s knowing what is right and true according to God and applying it correctly.
“Prudence” is closely connected, but it’s more about how that wisdom is used. It’s careful thinking, good judgment, and knowing how to act in a situation.
God didn’t just save you and leave you without understanding. He abounded toward you in both wisdom and prudence. That means His plan of salvation is perfectly thought out, perfectly executed, and clearly revealed.
The Mystery Made Known
Ephesians 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
A mystery in the Bible is something that was hidden and is now revealed. God has made His will known. God is not willing that any should perish. He wants everyone in heaven but everyone gets to make their own choice.
This was His purpose from the beginning. Not forced, not reactive. It comes from His own will and His own plan.
God chose to reveal His will and carry out salvation because He wanted to. It came from His own purpose, not from anything we did or deserved. Salvation exists because God decided it would. It comes from His will, His purpose, and His plan—not from man.
All Things Gathered in Christ
Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
“Dispensation” is a period where God is carrying out His plan in a specific way. God has worked through different times in the Bible, but they are all moving toward one final point. “The fulness of times” is when everything comes together exactly when God planned. Nothing is off. Everything lines up perfectly.
For example, Galatians 4:4 says: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son.”
That shows God’s timing is exact. But here in Ephesians, it goes further. This is not just about Jesus coming into the world—it’s about everything being brought to completion. And everything will be brought to completion one day.
“He might gather together in one all things in Christ.” That means everything is brought under one head—Jesus Christ. Not divided, not scattered—brought together under Him. Colossians 1:17 says: “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Everything is held together by Him now, and it will all be brought fully under Him.
“Both which are in heaven, and which are on earth.” That means everything. Nothing left out. Philippians 2:10 says “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth.” Everything will recognize His authority.
“Even in him.” That keeps the focus clear. Everything centers on Jesus Christ.
An Inheritance Secured
Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Believers have obtained an inheritance. This is something given, not earned. You don’t earn in inheritance. It is simply given to you.
“Predestinated” here is tied to God’s purpose. He has already determined what He will give and accomplish in Christ.
“Predestinated” here is not about God choosing who gets saved and who doesn’t. Look at the verse. It says, “we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated.” The predestination is tied to the inheritance, not to who believes. Calvinists or reformed Baptist will misapply this and say that God chooses who will believe and not believe. The people in this verse are already saved. You see that clearly a couple verses later. Ephesians 1:13 says, “after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation… after that ye believed, ye were sealed.”
The order is clear. You hear, you believe, and then God seals you. That means belief comes first. Predestination is not deciding who will believe—it applies to those who already have believed. So what is predestinated? What God has already planned for those who are in Christ. Their inheritance, their future, what they will receive.
Romans 8:29 says “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Again, the predestination is about what happens to believers, not how they become believers.
God did not predestinate who would believe. God predestinated what happens to those who do believe. If you are in Christ, your future is already set. Your inheritance is already determined. That is what God purposed from the beginning.
To the Praise of His Glory
Ephesians 1:12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
“The praise of his glory” is the goal. What God does in salvation is meant to bring attention to Him, not to us. It shows His grace, His power, and His truth. “Who first trusted in Christ.” That’s the key phrase. The response is trust. Not works, not effort—trust in Christ.
Romans 4:5 says: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him.” That lines up exactly. Belief is the condition, not something added after.
Also notice the wording—“trusted in Christ.” The focus is on Him. Not trusting in yourself, not trusting in religion, not trusting in anything else.
God’s plan results in people trusting in Christ, and that brings glory to Him. Salvation points back to God because it is based on belief in what He has done, not what we do. People trust in Christ, and God gets the glory for it.
The Order — Heard, Believed, Sealed
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The order is clear. First, you hear the word of truth—the gospel. Then, you believe. Right after that, you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. IMMEDIATELY. This is the truth. False preachers who teach you must also ask for the gift of everlasting life, are preaching that this verse is a lie. They are preaching that hundreds of verses are a lie. They need to STOP preaching lies immediately.
Acts 16:31 says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” That matches this verse perfectly.
And look closely, the sealing with that Holy Spirit of promise happens after belief, not before. Directly AFTER. And this is very important. What does SEALED mean? Being sealed means marked, secured, and identified as belonging to God. You are His. You are sealed by God.
2 Corinthians 1:22 says: “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” A seal is not temporary. It shows ownership and security. Sealed with God. Sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. HOLY.
The Earnest — A Guarantee
Ephesians 1:14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
“Earnest” means a guarantee—something given now that secures what is coming later. The Holy Spirit is not a small part of salvation. He is God’s confirmation that the rest is coming.
2 Corinthians 1:22 says: “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” God has already given the Spirit, and that guarantees the inheritance. This is not uncertain or dependent on your future performance. It is secured because God gave the earnest. It’s already given.
“Until the redemption of the purchased possession.” That shows there is still something future. You are already redeemed, but your full redemption—your body, your complete deliverance—is still coming. There’s more to come. It gets better and better with God.
Romans 8:23 says: “Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” You are already saved, but you are not fully glorified yet. The Spirit guarantees that will happen.
“Unto the praise of his glory.” This goes back to the same purpose. The entire plan—from salvation now to full redemption later—brings glory to God.
God didn’t just promise an inheritance—He guaranteed it by giving the Holy Spirit. What you have now proves that what is coming later will happen. The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that your future inheritance will be fully completed.
How This Fits the Entire Bible
This connects all the way back. Salvation has always been by faith.
Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Now in the New Testament, you see the full picture. Redemption through Christ, forgiveness through His blood, and sealing by the Spirit of God.
Practical Applications
- Redemption and forgiveness are already secured through the blood of Jesus Christ. You do not earn them.
- Salvation follows a clear order—hear the gospel, believe it, and then you are sealed.
- The Holy Spirit is your guarantee. What God started, He will finish.
- Everything in salvation points back to God’s glory, not your effort.
Conclusion
This passage shows what you have in Christ. Redemption. Forgiveness. Inheritance. A seal that cannot be broken. God did not leave your salvation uncertain. He guaranteed it. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Let’s pray.
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