Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Integrity of Whole Creation in Christ

  Bible portion: Eph 1:3-12. 

V7-8 “In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us”.

Devotion
 Our topic, 'integrity of Whole Creation in Christ,' is deeply rooted in the Bible portion Eph 1:3-12. The term' integrity' is derived from the Latin word 'Integritas,' which means 'one or whole.' This concept is not just a mere idea but a divine desire for us to live in ways considered holy and blameless. It is beautifully illustrated in Paul's letter to Ephesians, particularly in verse 4, where he mentions how God chose us in him to be holy and blameless even before the foundation of the world was laid. This divine desire sets us apart from the rest of the world and fills us with awe and reverence. 
God’s love for us is so immense that we are predestined for adoption to son ship through Christ. In Roman law, when someone was adopted as a son, they received the same rights as a legitimate son and lost all of their old rights from their old family (David Guzik, 2018). This is the transformative power of God's love through Christ. He changes our identity and transforms us to become his legitimate sons and daughters in every aspect of our lives. This newly given identity is following his pleasure and will. He’s always waiting for us to return to him as his sons and daughters. We should be grateful for the loving grace he kindly sent through Christ.
Christ is the only way to become one and whole in God. Our God is holy and blameless; we, on the other hand, are born sinners. But God’s purpose is not to condemn us but to bring all of his creation together in unity and love. This was made only possible because of the death of Christ. In Verse 7, redemption means to buy back; Jesus paid the penalty and brought us back to God from the bondage of sins. It’s not our merits or values but salvation from God that made us one in him again. Our integrity lies in Christ; he is the only way to be one and whole in God.
                                                      Prayer
: Our heavenly Father, thank you for the grace and salvation you sent us through your son, Jesus Christ. Help us live a life that pleases and glorifies you so that we always remain one in you. 

                                           Thought for the Day
“The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation” - Charles Spurgeon.

Susan George 
St.Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church - New Jersey

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