Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (think benefit) in the heavens in Christ. For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:3-14

Devotion

When I was young, my mom used to say, “Remember whose you are!” each day as my brother and I left for school. When I was young, I didn't understand and thought she believed I was stupid or forgetful. As I grew older, I realized she was reminding me that I am a Rauschkolb and represent my family. More importantly, she was reminding me that I belong to God and can live confidently knowing he is always with me. My mom's words echoed Paul's message to the church in Ephesus, reminding them of their identity and belonging.

Paul's message is clear: "Remember whose you are!" As believers and followers of Jesus, we have received incredible spiritual blessings/benefits.

We have been chosen and adopted in Christ, showered with his grace, and redeemed and forgiven through him. We have been transformed from spiritual orphans into co-heirs with Christ, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. 

Whoa, this is truly good news!

Therefore, I encourage you to remember whose you are. God sees you not as a servant, but as his beloved, chosen and adopted child in whom he delights. 

Questions to consider: 

• To whom do I belong?
• Does my understanding of God match the God of Ephesians 1:3-14?

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, please reveal the true nature of God to me and help me live in the freedom as a beloved child of God. Amen.

Andy Rauschkolb
OKC Location Pastor 

Resources

• Read Ephesians.
• Listen to Belonging To God by Taylor Rauschkolb.

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