“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, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
It is through the hearing of the Gospel, the Word of Truth, that we have been brought to trust in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for the sins of all. And this is all by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. He brings us to trust in Christ through the hearing of the Gospel, He comes to regenerate us and dwell in us through our Baptism, and He keeps us in the true and saving faith through the continued use of the Word and Sacrament until that day when we are taken to be forever with the Lord.
Thank You, dear Savior, for sending us men to preach the Gospel of our salvation, for granting us the Holy Spirit to create faith in our hearts through the hearing of Your Word, and for preserving us in the true faith through Word and Sacrament unto life everlasting. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29
Rather than trying to know those things God has not revealed to us and remain hidden in His divine wisdom, we should focus our attention on those things He has revealed to us, repent of our sinful ways and look in faith to Christ Jesus and the salvation He has wrought for us.
Grant to me the wisdom to read and study Your Word, O God, that I might acknowledge my sinfulness and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon, forgiveness and life in fellowship with You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“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: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1:11-12
When we trust in Christ for forgiveness and life, we have an inheritance in God’s heavenly kingdom, being predestined by God’s gracious will to trust in Christ and to be preserved in that faith through the hearing of the Gospel. This brings Him praise and glory for the salvation He has bestowed on us in Christ Jesus, our Savior.
We thank and praise You, O God, for graciously sending Your Son to redeem us and for choosing us to be Your own and bringing us to faith in Christ Jesus and preserving us in that faith through the hearing of the Gospel. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 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 …” Ephesians 1:9-10
Through the preaching of the Gospel, God makes known to us the mystery of His will, His divine plan to save us from eternal death and damnation by sending His only-begotten Son to die for us and atone for our sins that we might trust in Him, be pardoned, and be gathered together in Christ’s Church and receive everlasting life.
Grant that I hear and believe Your saving Word, O God, and trust in Christ Jesus, my Savior. In His name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence …” Ephesians 1:5-8
Believers take comfort in the fact they have been graciously predestined to be God’s children through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again that all who trust in Him might be made acceptable in God’s sight and have forgiveness of sins in accord with the riches of God’s grace offered and given them through the preaching of the Gospel.
We thank You, dear Father, for choosing us to be Your own children and bringing us to trust in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins through the preaching of the Gospel. Amen.