Behold the Mystery, Part I – Start with Praise

Jamaal Williams

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
11 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,
12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
13 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,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

–Ephesians 1:1–14

The Christian life begins not with what we do for God, but with what God has already done for us in Christ. We are reminded that the Father has blessed us, the Son has redeemed us, and the Spirit has sealed us — all for the praise of His glorious grace.

1. The Father Blessed Us (vv. 1–6)

• Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world – Our identity and calling originate in God’s eternal will.
• Adopted into God’s family – Not just forgiven but welcomed as beloved children.
• Blessed with every spiritual blessing – Our blessings are secure and eternal, rooted in our union with Christ.

2. The Son Redeemed Us (vv. 7–12)

• Redeemed through His blood – Jesus’ sacrifice is the price of our freedom from sin’s slavery.
• Lavished with grace – God’s generosity overflows with wisdom and purpose.
• Given an eternal inheritance – Salvation leads to hope, future glory, and the renewal of all things.

3. The Spirit Sealed Us (vv. 13–14)

• Marked as God’s own – The Spirit is the seal of belonging, security, and identity.
• Guarantee of our inheritance – The Spirit is the down payment of our eternal life with God.
• Security in our salvation – We live not as spiritual orphans but as assured children of God.

4. Application: Living in the Reality of God’s Grace

• Reject the orphan mindset – Stop living as though your worth depends on performance; remember you belong to God.
• Render praise to God – Worship with your life, not just on Sundays, but in every circumstance.