Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 What’s in a Label?

Ephesians 1:3-10

 

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[a]predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] 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[c] 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.
 
When we are born, we receive a label as girl or boy.  The label grows and adds to our life. We become students, parents, wives, husbands—the list goes on. We base our lives on our labels. It defines us—what career we have if we got married if we had children. Our labels are often misinterpreted as our only measure of success. Who are we in reality? Do these labels truly define us?
 
In this passage, Paul is declaring to the Ephesians that we are loved, elected, adopted, predestined, redeemed, and blessed. This is what defines us. God had labeled us his children before even creating the world! Our time on earth was designed to fulfill these labels, in return, bringing glory and honor to Him. Let’s stop for a moment and switch our focus from our own achievements and accomplishments and start using all the blessings God has given us, to bless others.
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Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your infinite blessings. Help us to free ourselves from the labels of this world and focus on Your purpose in our lives. Thank you for loving us. Amen.


Joyce John
Immanuel MTC, Houston TX

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