INTRODUCTION: If First Corinthians 13 is Paul's song of praise for divine love, then this longest sentence in the scripture is his psalm of praise for God's covenant-grace. It is as a churchman that Paul thinks and writes. It is as a churchman that he rejoices in the totality of spiritual blessings that are ours as we ABIDE in Christ -- rooted and anchored in Him (Jn. 15:1-6), as members of His body, (Eph. 5:30). So fully was he absorbed into Christ's very life and being that he could say: "For to me to LIVE is Christ", (Phil. 1:21).

        Whoever presumptuously lays claim to the staggering array of spiritual blessings enumerated in Ephesians, without such identity with Christ as obeys His express will and command, is headed for a sad and shocking awakening at His appearing and kingdom! The church (local and visible) was our Lord's INTENTION - a vital and necessary part of His plan for the maturing lives of His people. Whoever rebels against this wise design - rejecting the counsel of God against himself (Luke 7:29) - does so to his own peril and eternal loss. Wise men concern themselves with "the whole counsel of God", (Acts 20:27).

I. THIS MARVELLOUS GRACE WAS INITIATED BY THE FATHER'S LOVE, (vs. 3-6).

        3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1. HE HAS RICHLY BLESSED THE CHURCH.
1. As the habitation of God, through the Spirit (2:22), the church has been enriched with "every spiritual blessing"; thus, the Holy Spirit is ever present to bestow whatever is needed to glorify the Father and so edify the body as to bring it to maturity, in Christ.
2. From the divine perspective, the saints are already viewed as seated "in heavenly places". This is described as:
1. The seat of Christ's power at the Father's right hand, (Eph. 1:20).
2. The sphere of our life as risen and seated with Christ, (Eph. 2:6).
3. The sphere where principalities and powers, both good and evil, meet (Eph. 3:10; 6:12); the battlefield where Christ and His saints face Satan and his hosts.
3. Thus, Paul views the church as being enciphered "in Christ".
1. This suggests a new POSITION of security and blessing through identity with Christ, (Col. 3:3).
2. It also suggests something of the vastness of our wealth - since all things are "by him and for him" Who is "head over all things in behalf of the church", (Col. 1:16-18; Eph. 1:22; I Cor. 3:21-23).
3. The very intimacy of this relationship both necessitates and makes possible a walk of holiness and obedience before God, (I John 2:6).


2. BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD GOD MADE A CHOICE.
1. It was of HIS SON (individual election), and, through Him, of all who joyfully and obediently submit themselves under His sovereign control (corporate election, of the church) - fully identifying themselves with Him in His death, burial and resurrection-life.
2. This choice (election), in Christ, was to the end that our walk before Him should be characterized by such holiness of life as to be unblamable in His sight, (2 Thes. 2:13; Tit. 2:14; Eph. 5:26-27; Phil. 2:15; Col. 1:22; I Pet. 1:15-16; 2:11-12; Rev. 14:4-5).


3. MOTIVATED BY PURE LOVE, HE DETERMINED TO ADOPT US AS HIS SONS - developing in us such maturity of life as He could openly approve.
1. This involves participation in all the privileges of "mature sonship" in His household, (Rom. 8:15-18; I John 3:1).
2. This also is through, and in identity with, Jesus Christ - God's unique Son. According to Galatians 4:5, this came when the law was taken out of the way and God's NEW ORDER, the church, became operative.
3. God "willed" this in His own good pleasure; its full CONSUMMATION awaits our Lord's return, (Rom. 8:23).
1. It should be noted that it is the "spirit" of adoption that is presently ours, in Christ, (Rom. 8:15).
2. Every New Testament usage of the word "adoption" suggests a FUTURE FULFILLMENT; it is NOT regarded as a present experience - except as faith lays hold of that which God has provided for the coming age, (Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5; comp. Rom. 8:29; 21-22).
4. All this will redound to the glorious praise of God's grace - so marvellously lavished upon us "in the Beloved"!

         It cannot be stated too emphatically that this election and predestination is NOT of INDIVIDUALS, to personal salvation from sin-guiltiness; rather, it is a "corporate election" and predestination OF THE CHURCH, to share the glory of Christ! Our INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION in these blessings is contingent on our receiving Christ, by faith, and submitting ourselves, in obedience, to His authority IN THE CHURCH RELATIONSHIP. Apart from this position NO ONE is authorized to claim the blessings promised in this epistle!

II. THIS GRACE WAS PROVIDED THROUGH THE VICARIOUS SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE OF GOD'S BELOVED SON, (vs. 7-12).

        7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

        Jesus was God's Son by nature; but we are enabled to share this sonship ONLY through His grace.

1. IT IS IN UNION WITH CHRIST THAT MEN STAND REDEEMED.
1. By nature ALL are in bondage to sin, (Rom. 3:23).
2. He procured our release at immeasurable cost - the shedding of His own precious blood, (Rom. 3:24; I Pet. 1:18-20).
1. The necessity of redemption by blood was foreshadowed under the Levitical priesthood, (Lev. 17:11).
2. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for anyone, (Heb. 9:22).
3. Forgiveness of sin is inseparably linked with blood-redemption, (Matt. 26:28; Col. 1:14).
4. All this is rooted in the riches of divine grace with which God has endowed us in an ever-increasing measure, (Rom. 5:20-21; Eph. 3:8, 16; Phil. 4:19).


2. IN CHRIST, A FAITHFUL REMNANT OF JEWS HAVE RECEIVED SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT, (vs. 8-10).
1. Herein is revealed the mystery of God's will, once hidden from men; though the mystery involved more than Jews, (I Pet. 1:10-12; Eph. 3:3-10; Col. 1:26-27; I Cor. 2:6-7).
2. The revealing of this mystery is in accord with His purpose that has its beginning and ending in the person of Jesus Christ, (2 Tim. 1:9).
1. This purpose will be fulfilled at the proper time.
2. Then all things, in heaven and on earth, will find their ultimate authority in Christ Who will rule over all!


3. IN CHRIST, THE JEWS FIRST BECAME GOD'S HERITAGE, (vs. 10-12, 18; comp. Deut. 32:9; Col. 1:12).
1. To this they were predestined according to His purpose.
2. To effect His purpose, God directed all things according to His own counsel and desire.
3. His desire in this was that the Jewish remnant, the first to place their hope in Christ, should be an occasion of glorious praise to His name. The initial fulfillment of this purpose is seen in Simeon and Anna (Lk. 2:25-38), and in the apostles - the special instruments through which He would make known His order for the function of His church, and provide such assistance to His people as would help them on toward maturity, (I Cor. 12:28; Rom. 8:29; Acts 2; 3-4).

III. THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE GOSPEL OF THIS COVENANT-GRACE WAS MADE EFFECTIVE TO US GENTILES ALSO, (vs. 13-14).

        13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1. HEARING AND RESPONDING TO THIS GOOD NEWS, WE TOO BECAME GOD'S HERITAGE - jewels, peculiar people, the apple of His eye, (I Pet. 2:9-10).


2. THROUGH THE EXERCISE (obedience) OF FAITH, WE TOO ARE RECKONED TO BE "IN CHRIST".


1. We are made "at one" with the faithful Jews; the former enmity being abolished.
2. We are "reconciled" in the body of His flesh - as He has now become "incarnate" in the church, (Col. 1:20-23).


3. IN THIS POSITION WE HAVE BEEN SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.
1. He is called "the Holy Spirit of promise" because:
1. He came to indwell the church, on the day of Pentecost, in fulfillment of what Jesus called "the promise of the Father", (Jn. 14:16-17; Acts 1:4; 2:32-33).
2. The initial sealing is but a pledge (in reality, a down-payment in kind), a guarantee that we shall one day enjoy, in its fulness, the inheritance that God has reserved in heaven for those loving and obeying Him, (Gen. 38:17-20; I Cor. 2:9; I Pet. 1:3-5).
2. At the appointed time, God will redeem those whom He has reserved for Himself.
1. Adequate provision has already been made; He HAS REDEEMED US, (Eph. 1:7; Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 1:18).
2. It will be actualized, in our experience, when Jesus comes to reign, (Eph. 1:4; 4:30; Luke 21:28).
3. The present witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit assures our hearts of an ultimate full and actual possession of that inheritance in which we are "sharers with Christ", (Hebrews 3:14).

        CONCLUSION: At the completed redemption of those in Christ (including perfected bodies and glorification), the heavens and earth will resound with joyful and triumphant strains - the consummation of glorious praise for God's abounding grace. Anticipation of such blessedness should produce in our hearts a spontaneous giving of thanks, adoration, praise and worship of Him Who so dearly loved us as to give His beloved Son for our redemption.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. From what viewpoint does Paul think and write?
2. Is not a person being presumptuous to claim the blessings of God without first submitting to His will and word?
3. Who initiated this marvelous grace that has been showered so richly upon the church?
4. What is meant by "heavenly places"?
5. What is involved (as expressed in this letter) in one's being "in Christ"?
6. As regards "individual election", who has been chosen of God?
7. In what sphere of life may individual saints enjoy the blessings of divine election?
8. Is election something that merely involves God's choice of individuals to be "saved from hell"? or is it an exercise of God's purpose to "bring many sons to glory" through the church?
9. Through whose worthiness has this grace been bestowed?
10. In whom do we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins?
11. In what position has a faithful remnant of Jews received spiritual wisdom and discernment?
12. Through what power had the Gospel of covenant-grace been made effective to us Gentiles also?
13. What sort of "seal" is placed on those thus identified with Christ? What does it have in view?
14. What is YOUR attitude toward such marvelous grace?