Week Ten - Day Three: Sovereignty Examined

Consider the following Scripture and let the questions after it guide your reflection.

Ephesians 1:3-14

(3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (8) that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, (9) he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, (10) to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

(11) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (12) in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (13) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

1. From this passage, make a list of God’s activity on your behalf.
2. Purposes are attached to some of these activities. Make a list of those purposes. Why does God do what He has done?
3. What emotion does all of this activity inspire in Paul?
4. When did this activity on our behalf begin?
5. Why do you think Paul calls this activity “spiritual blessings”?
6. How does this activity affect who you are? How does it affect how you think about yourself? How does it impact you today (get as practical as you can)?
7. How does this passage impact your concept of the sovereignty of God?

1. Take some time turning verses 3 and 4 over and over in your mind. Consider committing these verses to memory today!
2. Thank God for his purposes for you. Ask Him to fulfill those purposes through you today. Submit yourself to His foreordination.
3. Go, live in the flow of God’s will today.