Run a marathon. Start a blog. Lose some weight. Read through the Bible. These are just a few examples of some of the many New Year’s resolutions many of us make each New Year. And wherever you are on your New Year’s resolution journey, whether you have made resolutions or not, whether you will keep your resolutions or not, I’d like to point your attention to six awesome things that God has already done for you in Christ. I don’t want you to start the New Year thinking there is a small god desperate for you to do big things for him. I want you to see and savor the big God who has done great things for you in Christ—things more significant than anything anyone will accomplish this year.
God Chose Us in Christ – Ephesians 1:4 says, “For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.” Paul wanted us to know that God wasn’t stuck with us. We weren’t on the clearance rack. The language of being chosen is meant to make the Ephesians and other Christians feel special, prized, and precious. Like the love that drives a young man looking for an engagement ring, God’s gracious love led him to choose us. This is even more amazing in light of the fact that Paul tells us just how unworthy we were to be chosen (Eph 2:1ff). Yet, in his grace he chose us.
God Adopted Us in Christ – Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will.” He predestined us to be adopted in Christ. Although we’re a culture that loves talk about pursuing our destiny, we don’t like someone else controlling it. But God is saying he has a destiny in place for us before we were born—like a parent getting the room, clothes, and plans ready for their soon to be adopted daughter or son. In Christ, we are adopted.
God Redeemed Us in Christ – Ephesians 1:7 says “We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” We have been redeemed in Christ. Just as God redeemed Israel from the oppressive slavery of Egypt, he has redeemed us from the oppressive slavery to sin. When we come to Jesus an emancipation proclamation is made over our life purchased by the blood of Christ. We are free men and women in Christ.
That makes 3 of the 6 things Ephesians 1 tells us God’s done for us in Christ. I’ll post the other three next…
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