City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

₈ which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ₉having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ₁₀ that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

Ephesians 1:8-10

Interpretation

Paul, in his enormous wisdom and revelation, writes this passage in the introduction to his epistle declaring that being in Christ is a process of becoming children of God through the process of adoption in Christ. This process has nothing to do with one’s ability or birthright, nor can it be bought or earned. This is decided by God and predestined for each one according to God’s will. All who are destined to be saved will be saved and will be gathered under the headship of Christ and will be united with Him.

The backstory is that, what was lost in Eden will be recaptured by Christ and mankind will be reconciled with God through Christ. The vertical relationship that was lost by Adam who sinned against God has been conquered by Christ. The fullness of this conquest will be achieved when all who are destined to be saved will be saved and unified together in Christ with God in the time that has been set by God. Heavenly and earthy beings that are in Christ will be united together for eternity in the presence of God as per His plan.  

Application

Christ came with a purpose and He came to gather the lost and pay a ransom to redeem them. The redeemed ones are adopted into God’s family and are privileged to be become the children of God. This is an amazing free gift that God gave for humanity. We don’t have to do any work to reach God, Christ has done all the work and have guaranteed a way for us to become children of God. We also have a glorious hope of eternity that Christ will gather us all together as a bride for Christ.

Religion offers a glimpse of God and a hope for eternity, but Christ offers eternity and a personal relationship. For many who are tired of religion and who are burnt out by religion, Christ offers hope of a glorious eternity in the presence of Almighty God. This also offers hope for the persecuted, that God has not and will not forget anyone who is in Christ. Even though we are persecuted and punished, scattered and shattered, we all will be gathered in the appointed time and will have the honor of being with God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for who You are. You have paid the enormous cost of salvation and made it free for us and has predestined our destiny in Christ. Thank You for adopting us into Your family and making us worthy to call You our Father. Thank You for making a way for us to be united with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.