Riches! - Ephesians 1:7-8

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. Ephesians 1:7-8

Drops My Jaw!

As a child, I walked 1.5 miles to school. And I would take any opportunity to cut through a neighbor's yard. One day, a kind old guy came out and politely asked me to walk around, not through. I sheepishly agreed.

I was trespassing; he forgave me.

And that's nothing compared to what Jesus did for me; Jesus redeemed me from the power of Hell. See, I was owned by Satan from the day Adam sold out himself and the human race.

Jesus paid my debt with His life. Plus, I'm redeemed according to His riches. What! That means there is wealth upon wealth of riches to go around for all who will answer the call and believe. That's His grace.

The next part is the piece that really drops my jaw...

He lavished that grace upon me. Lavished.

Nothing Boring About Redemption

I need that reminder. Why? Because I am the sheep that can take it all for granted. Confession: I can get a little bored with it all.

Bored as (by His grace) my feet barely escape the clutches of Hell. Bored.

This verse brings me back to my senses. There is nothing, NOTHING, boring about redemption!

Notice that he finishes the verse by saying that the Lord does this with wisdom and insight. "For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him (Ephesians 1:4)."

He wasn't blindly going through the directory of sinners, playing sinners roulette. No, He did this with wisdom and insight.

This is His perfect will.

Lord, may I be eyes-wide-open to what you have done. You chose me to be yours. This is a deep mystery. I am grateful. May I live, empowered by the knowledge of what you have done. I ask that you remove hindrances that get in the way of me doing your will. Teach me to walk in the light, today for I am rich! Blessed be the Name of the Lord.