Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; We must never allow the shedding of Christ's blood to be trivialized. It is in Him and Him alone that we have redemption. It is through His shed blood that we have obtained forgiveness of sins. Christians speak of redemption, but what is it? Have you ever borrowed money from a bank? In lending the money, the bank asked you to put up collateral. That collateral could be a house, or car, or anything of value. The act of paying off the loan is an act of redemption. The Greek text indicates a ransom paid in full. Christ Jesus, by the shedding of His blood, has redeemed us from Satan. There is nothing more that can or will be added to Christ Jesus’ redemptive act. Confession is the act of accepting His gift of everlasting life. Confession is not a recitation of sins. Confession is our declaration of agreement that “Jesus Christ is Lord.” And, because confession is Holy Spirit inspired, it is not a human work. Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. It is according to the riches of his grace that we are redeemed. It is God the Holy Spirit within us that accomplishes each individual step leading to salvation. Everlasting life or life forevermore is the direct result of His redemptive action within us. The grace God has bestowed on us is valuable beyond any monetary exchange. And so, we can truly say that God's grace is far beyond our conception of the word "value."

Talking Points 2-A

Ephesians 1:4-6
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Verse 4 is an embarrassment to many Christians! How can that bunch of oddballs known as Christians be “without blame?”

The fact is that those whom God has chosen to be led by His Holy Spirit are known as saints (Gr. hagiois), because they are pure, holy, and blameless in His sight!

"According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world" is a powerful statement. We have been chosen in Christ not in ourselves.

Choosing us to be saints and to follow Christ Jesus by being led by the Spirit is not based on our will! It is based entirely on God’s predestination! Our choice does not come into the action at all.

Do you understand the complicated simplicity of the doctrine of predestination?

Notice that we have been predestined in accordance with the Father’s will as expressed in Christ Jesus.

Many do not believe in predestination, because it sets us apart from the rest of humanity. The fact is, we have been set apart!

True Christians are the salt of human society. We are the reflected light of Christ Jesus in this age.

Do you comprehend the honor that has been given to us?

At this point, I must add that we have not been chosen, selected, or elected to the exclusion of other people. Most people do not understand predestination.

As firm as I am concerning the fact of predestination, that word is never used when describing the "lost." None is “predestined” to be lost.

God chose us in Christ Jesus before the "foundation" of the world. The Greek text indicates that God chose us before the universe was conceived.

Before God spoke the world into existence He chose us, individually, in Christ, to become the first layer of salvation. God chose us so that "we should be holy and without blame before him in love." He did not choose us because we were already holy and without blame before him.

The Greek word translated "should" is very important here. The Greek word is first person, singular, and indicative. That Greek word is used only when it presents an emphatic. This section should have been translated "shall."

Personal paraphrase--"That we shall (emphatically, with premeditation) be holy and blameless before Him in love."

In choosing us, Jesus keeps us without blame, unblemished, because of His love for us.

Many Christians will tell you that we are just "old sinners." In Christ, the old things have passed away and we are made new. We may be imperfect before the world, but we are blameless, faultless before God.

In Christ Jesus our old self is dead! Many people insist on exhuming the old man and parading him around town.

Paul tells us that God has predestined us to adoption as children through Jesus Christ. That was done according to the good pleasure of the Father's will.

We have been "predestinated" to be Christ's. The Greek text speaks of something that has been predetermined.

Most do not understand the purpose of predestination.

However, to deny the predetermined grace of God is to deny His omnipotence and omniscience. He chose us to become adopted as sons of God. That may sound arrogant, but it is true. That is what the word of God says.

In these short verses (4-6) Paul is telling Christians three things. We have been chosen, predestined, and accepted.

Talking Points 1-A

Ephesians 1:1-2
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians begins by declaring that Paul is "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." It is very important to understand that Paul’s anointing as an Apostle did not come as the result of any human choice, or ego. It was strictly by the will of God as verse 1 tells us. Each of us has a place in the Kingdom of God, the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem and that place or position has been determined by God.

Please notice that this letter is addressed to the “saints” at Ephesus. Some people clamor for great titles. However, within the Church the greatest title is “saint!” Pastors and Deacons in the Church during this age are “hired help’ they are not kings and rulers.

To us the reference by Paul that he is an Apostle would seem strange even unnecessary. The fact that such an obviously called and anointed leader would need to declare that he is an Apostle seems odd.

At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul was not universally accepted. Unfortunately that is still the case in some Churches. The vast majority of Jewish Christians during that period viewed Paul’s message of salvation by grace through faith was subject to suspicion. Even during our day many Church attendees do not understand the simplicity or power of God's grace.

Verse 2 should be changed slightly to give a better understanding. That verse says in the KJV, “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” That verse should say, “Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is yours.” The grace and peace of the Father and the Son now belong to all who have been elected to follow Christ Jesus.

Our salvation and service are by grace through faith. No works come attached to God’s grace. Christ Jesus has already done all the "work" required for our salvation. But, some still struggle in an effort to self-justify.

Stop struggling and rest in Christ Jesus!

Where do you live?

How many times has someone asked you, “Where do you live?” I have been asked that question multiple times. However, until recently my answer was not accurate.

My normal answer for many years was, “I live in a certain town on a certain street.” But, that is not accurate.

However, the reality is that I live in the hands of, and by the faith of my Lord, Christ Jesus, the Son of God! In John 18, theSon, Christ Jesus told God the Father, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none," (John 18:9-NKJV). So, I am safe from the evil one.

Many desire to live in safety and that is normal. Only the mentally ill or the demon possessed desire conflict. But, the only way to live in peace is to live in Christ Jesus. His peace brings true joy, the calm delight, of life in the Son of God.

I am part of the inheritance of Christ Jesus. You may also be part of His inheritance and yet not be aware of your standing with Christ Jesus.

Psalms 2:8 Ask of Me, and I will give YouThe nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth forYour possession.(NKJV)

The“nations” speaks of the Goyim, the Gentiles, non-IsraeLis. The Gentiles ar eChrist’s inheritance.

Not all Gentiles have accepted the fact of His ransom!

1 Tim 2:6 [Christ Jesus] who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (NKJV)

if you paid the full and complete ransom for something, wouldn’t you want to get that for which you paid the ransom?

Or,

1 Tim 2:1-7
¹ Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
⁵ For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
⁶ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
⁷ for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (NKJV)