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. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6
In troubled times like these we live in currently, there is a question that quietly nags many believers. It’s this: Why should God bother to protect His people above anyone else, or does He? Dear saint, unless you have clarity about such a question, you run the risk of losing out on your covenant blessings and security. It’s crucially important for us to fully embrace our rights and privileges in Christ. A real revelation of the believer’s status in Christ makes all the difference.
The first chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians sheds invaluable light in this regard. It reveals that God has a special place in His heart for all His people. He has vested interests in His Church. He purchased us with an infinitely high price. We are part and parcel of God’s eternal master plan. When you gave your life to Jesus you became a member of God’s chosen, precious, blessed, holy, heirs of the kingdom with Christ. That is who you are. That’s why you matter greatly in God’s sight.
Please understand that God’s master plan involves the Church’s role on earth as Salt and Light of the world. We are here for an eternal agenda and a divine purpose. Our purpose concerns the Great Commission. It has nothing to do with our ethnicity, earthly aspirations, secular agendas or vain ambitions. In the hassle and bustle of living, we must not lose sight of this reality and the big picture. It is in this light that our survival, security and victory matter to God. God will do everything in His power to protect you. He is in the business of protecting His people. Because He has vested interests in you and I.
It’s just like the reason why God preserved the children of Israel during their sojourn in Egypt. He did so purely because they were part and parcel of His Redemption Plan. God went out of His way to protect and preserve them because of His eternal purpose. However, the covenant people still had a responsibility to apply the blood upon their doorposts on the first Passover.
So should we. Being a member of this wonderful, blessed believers’ community does not absolve us from the responsibility to exercise our faith. It is still our duty to personally affirm our faith in the finished work of Christ. Don’t be afraid. But don’t take your victory for granted. Abide in Christ. Believe the Word. Confess it. Stand on the Promises.
Pastor Josh