Today’s reading is Ephesians 1:1-2:22.

In Ephesians 1, I am reminded that I often miss the actual purpose behind all of God’s work. Ephesians 1 lists many of the blessings God has given us in Christ: holiness, blamelessness, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, knowledge of the mystery, etc. 

Why did God give us all these blessings? What was the goal for all of this? We have a tendency to stop short saying the goal of all this is our salvation. He did all this so we might be saved. That, however, is simply not true. Certainly, our salvation is something we receive from all God did. However, God’s goal is mentioned three times in this chapter.

“…he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”–Ephesians 1:5-6

“…so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”–Ephesians 1:12

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”–Ephesians 1:14

Did you see the goal? The goal is not that we would be saved. The goal is that we would be to the praise of God’s glory. We must not miss this. The goal is not accomplished merely because we are forgiven. The goal is accomplished when through our forgiveness, redemption, and adoption God is glorified. 

We must not take this for granted. We must glorify God for our salvation. We must glorify God before others for our salvation. Our salvation should cause us to live in a way that glorifies God. 

How humbling. This is not about me. This is about God. My life should not be about me. It should be about God and the praise of His glory.

Let us always praise God and His glory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?