How we were redeemed

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Ephesians 1-3 Advent Day 4 “How we were redeemed”

In Galatians, we talked about the privilege we have of being adopted into God’s family. Today we see how that process took place. It began in eternity past—in fact before the foundation of the world. As a people, we were predestined to be holy children of God because of the pleasure of His will. Yet when sin entered the world we found ourselves as children of wrath. However, God in his rich mercies and his great love made us alive in His Son Jesus Christ. In him, we have redemption through his blood and the forgiveness of our sins.

God is rich! He is so rich that he poured out on us not only the forgiveness of our sins but all wisdom and insight all because of His good pleasure. So now we are children of God, claimed as God’s own possession. Not only that, but we have been marked with the seal that cannot be broken of God’s promised Holy Spirit.

And why has God chosen to bring us into His family? It is so that we will be able to comprehend, understand—that is to have God’s perspective and to know His love with surpasses all knowledge that we might be filled to overflowing with His love that we can share these truths with others.

Have you been “hoodwinked?”

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Galatians 3 “Hoodwinked means veiling the truth”

How often do we, like the Galatians, fall under the spell of smooth teaching of others when we fail to be a Berean to search the scriptures to see if what is taught is true? The Galatians had been, as we say today, “hoodwinked” by unscrupulous teachers. To get them back on track,  Paul asks 4 basic questions. We might ask these of ourselves as well.

(1) How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Was it by keeping the Law? If so we might as well disregard Eph 2 ‘it is by faith you are saved, not of works lest any man should boast.’ The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us so that we might be sealed until the day of redemption; so that we might be indwelt by His presence teaching and illuminating us with truth; (2) How is God sanctifying you? Is it by works? If so then we have to disregard the example of Abraham who was counted as righteous not by works but by faith alone. Luther wrote regarding Abraham: “I believe what you say God.”  (3)How do you explain your suffering; was it for nothing? Or is it to glorify God?  (4) How do you explain the miracles amongst you? Do you give credit to man or God for these?

Paul ends with this truth: God justifies so that we might walk by faith alone. Is this you?

 

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