I like the all-inclusive wording that Paul uses to tell us how our union with Christ brings us great joy. ALL praise to God who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing. The 7 reasons to celebrate our life in Christ is a study of the first 14 verses of Ephesians.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesians 1:3
7 Reasons to Celebrate our Life in Christ
1. In Christ, we have been chosen
Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Jesus told a parable in Matthew which included this phrase
“Many are called but few are chosen.”
In His story, people were invited to a wedding feast but didn’t come. That is the definition of “many are called”
Only some chose to come which is the definition of “Few are chosen ”
Those who are “in Christ,” they are those who answered the call and chose Jesus.
Paul said, God loved them and chose them to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
That is something to celebrate! That is cause for praise!
2. In Christ, we have a destiny
Ephesians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Our destiny is to be a full-fledged family member in God’s family.
If we are in Christ, we are in God’s family.
There are no stepsons or stepdaughters.
If you are in Christ you are in the family all the way!
Ephesians 1:6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
3. In Christ we have forgiveness
Ephesians 1:7-8 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
But Jesus paid the price for us with His own life.
He laid down His life for us to take away our sins.
Jesus redeemed us, he purchased our freedom.
Those in Christ have received forgiveness – That is worth celebrating!
4. In Christ, we know who is in control
Ephesians 1:9-10 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time, he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
No matter how things look around us, we must always remember that God is in control.
God has a plan and it has not failed, regardless of how bleak things may look in the world.
Yes, people may exercise their free will for the few years they have on this earth, but man’s will cannot hinder the plans of God!
5. In Christ, we are all included in God’s family
Ephesians 1:11-12 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you.
God’s love is available to Jews, Gentiles, male, female, young, old, those who are respected by others, and those who are outcasts.
What kind of person needs Jesus the most? Those who have things all together, or those whose lives are a mess? The truth is that we all need Him!
6. In Christ, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 1:13 And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
Everyone who is in Christ has the Holy Spirit living in them. That is certainly a great reason to celebrate our life in Christ.
The presence of the Holy Spirit shows who we belong to God and He ensures our protection from the enemy of our soul.
What a great reason to praise Him!
7. In Christ, we have a guaranteed inheritance
Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
The Holy Spirit is the down payment that guarantees that the rest of God’s blessings will come to those who are in Christ!
God has never broken a promise. It is impossible for Him to lie.
We have the bulk of our inheritance to look forward to – all to the praise of God’s glory.
A Related post from the study of Ephesians is It’s Exciting To Believe God For The Unbelievable
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives.
Featured Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
