Soma

As we wrapped up the men’s retreat this weekend, we looked at the reality that Christ has called us to a life of service and sacrifice through the gospel.  As we fix our eyes on the gospel and the example of Christ, the examples we set for others begin to look more and more like the selfless life that He led.  We looked briefly at a passage that I think could be a great encouragement for you this morning as you head off to your week of work or school (whether you were at the men’s retreat or not).  2 Corinthians 5:14-15:

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

This week I decided to begin to read through the book of Ephesians again.  I know that as a pastor I should probably have some deep, significant reason for choosing which book of the Bible to read for my personal study, but my decision was essentially based on my observation that Ephesians is was one of the only epistles in my Bible with almost no notes or underlining (I love writing in my Bibles), which means I haven’t really studied it since I got this Bible a couple of years ago.

All that useless information to say, I haven’t been able to move on from the first chapter yet.  Awe and praise have captivated my heart as I have reflected on all that God has done for me.  Read it…it’s incredible!

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 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.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.