July 16, 2024

Today's Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Daily Lectionary: Judges 16:4-30; Judges 17:1-21:25; Galatians 4:12-31

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him… (Ephesians 1:3-4)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “What was God doing before creation?” the confirmation student asks his pastor. The pastor leans back and replies, “Well, St. Augustine answered that question like this: ‘He was preparing a punishment fit for those who ask such trifling questions…’” I think we can all hear the sarcasm in that answer… But in all seriousness, our lesson today gives us some insight into the mind and heart of God. “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4). Now, before we get carried away, let’s make a few careful observations about this reading. First, when Paul talks about election/predestination, he’s always talking about “us.” It’s a conversation of comfort and joy for Christians– not a statement about those who don’t believe. Re-read the lesson, and notice how many times “our,” “we,” and “us” pop up! Second, pay close attention to that little preposition “in Him.” We’re not the elect of God apart from Jesus but IN HIM. It’s crucial for us to see that any time Paul’s talking about those who are saved, it’s always IN CHRIST. This corrects that error that some folks slip into when they teach that if you’re elect, you’ll be saved– one way or another– as if there could be a possibility of salvation apart from Jesus! Finally, pay attention to when all this stuff takes place. (It may be helpful to go back and read it one more time!) You’ve got God saving us in Christ from before the foundation of the world; you’ve got God giving us redemption through the blood of Jesus shed on Good Friday; and you’ve got God sealing us with the promised Holy Spirit when we heard the word of truth and believed it. This little section of Ephesians is packed full of blessings for you, dear Christian. If you ever doubt that God could love a sinner like you, flip to Ephesians 1 and take comfort in the knowledge that, before God said, “Let there be light,” you were on God’s mind: He has blessed us in Christ to the praise of His glory! In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty Father, in Your Son You loved us when not yet begun Was this old earth’s foundation! Your Son has ransomed us in love To live in Him here and above: This is Your great salvation. Alleluia! Christ the living, To us giving Life forever, Keeps us Yours and fails us never! (LSB 395:4)

-Rev. Dustin Beck is pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Corpus Christi, TX.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

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