Sealed with the Spirit, Sent with a Calling
Trusting the God Who Works All Things Well
Glorious Grace: Walking in What God Has Done
Ephesians 1:1–14 (NIV)
Introduction
From a Roman prison, Paul writes not with complaint but with praise. Though addressed “to the saints in Ephesus,” many scholars believe this letter was a circular epistle—meant to be read and shared among several churches in Asia Minor. This would explain its universal tone, absence of personal greetings, and its sweeping theological focus. Ephesians 1:1–14, in particular, is one long, majestic sentence in the original Greek—a soaring hymn of thanksgiving that begins the letter with awe and wonder.
This passage stretches from eternity past to eternity future, unveiling the Father’s eternal plan, the Son’s redeeming work, and the Spirit’s sealing presence. Paul lifts our eyes from the immediacy of our struggles to the vastness of God’s grace and purpose. Salvation, he reveals, is not a divine reaction to human failure—it is the fulfillment of God’s eternal pleasure and plan. As Eugene Peterson paraphrases, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind… He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son” (Eph. 1:4–6, The Message).
1. The Will of God and the Unity of the Church (vv. 1–2)
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:1–2, NIV)
Paul writes to “God’s holy people… the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Though addressed to Ephesus, the message is universal—meant for the global Church. He introduces himself as an apostle not by personal ambition but “by the will of God,” showing that divine purpose—not circumstance—defines calling.
Alexander Maclaren writes, “The strength of the Church lies not in its numbers or resources, but in its union with Christ.” Paul opens with “grace and peace”—not clichés, but the foundation of the believer’s standing in Christ. Grace is God’s unearned favor; peace is the result of reconciliation through Jesus.
2. Chosen in Love, Before Time (vv. 3–6)
“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. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace…” (Ephesians 1:3–6, NIV)
We are blessed “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”—far beyond material provision. Chief among these blessings is God’s eternal choice: “He chose us… before the creation of the world.” This choosing was rooted not in merit, but in love and grace.
Matthew Henry observes, “The great design of God in choosing us is that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” And as Eugene Peterson says, this is “the original and intended shape of our lives.” Our adoption into God’s family is no reluctant legal process—it is the pleasure of His will. God delights to make us His children.
3. Redeemed by the Blood, Rich in Grace (vv. 7–10)
“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. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will… to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:7–10, NIV)
Paul shifts focus to Christ’s redemptive work. “In him we have redemption”—a term evoking the freedom of slaves through a ransom. The ransom is Christ’s own blood, securing forgiveness and new life.
William Barclay explains, “Paul sees the Cross as the place where sin’s grip is broken, and the door to sonship is flung open.” And this grace is not given sparingly—it is “lavished” on us. Through that grace, God reveals the “mystery of His will”—His plan to bring all things into unity under Christ. This is not just personal salvation, but cosmic reconciliation.
4. Inheriting God’s Purpose (vv. 11–12)
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–12, NIV)
Paul reminds us that in Christ, we have both an inheritance and a calling. The phrase “we were also chosen” can be translated “we were made an inheritance” or “we obtained an inheritance.” This double meaning is intentional: not only do we receive God’s promises—eternal life, reconciliation, and the kingdom—but we ourselves have been claimed as God’s own treasured possession. We are chosen not just to be saved, but to participate in God’s purposes on earth and for eternity.
This choosing is not arbitrary; it is “according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Even when life feels chaotic, Paul assures us that God is weaving all things into His perfect design. As Matthew Henry writes, “God sees the end from the beginning; His purposes are never thwarted.” Our inheritance is not merely a distant future hope—it includes our present identity and mission. We are called to live “for the praise of his glory”—that our lives might reflect the beauty, goodness, and majesty of the God who chose us. This is what it means to inherit God’s purpose: to be formed by His will, included in His plan, and radiant with His glory.
5. Sealed by the Spirit: Anointed and Set Apart (vv. 13–14)
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13–14, NIV)
In the Old Testament, only a few individuals—prophets, priests, and kings—were anointed with oil as a sign that they were chosen, consecrated, and empowered for a specific divine task. This anointing symbolized God’s Spirit resting upon them for leadership, revelation, or service. But now, in the New Covenant, every believer receives the Holy Spirit—not as a temporary empowering for a select few, but as a permanent seal for all who believe in Christ. What once marked a privileged few now defines the identity of the entire people of God.
Paul declares that when we believed, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit—a spiritual anointing that signifies God’s ownership, our security, and our calling. The Spirit is not only a mark but a deposit—a guarantee that God will complete what He has begun. Alexander Maclaren writes, “The Spirit is both the earnest and the foretaste—the pledge and the beginning—of our full redemption.” Eugene Peterson captures it vividly: “You… found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit.” Just as the oil in the Old Testament marked a person for God’s purpose, so the Spirit marks us today—empowering us to live in holiness, confidence, and joyful anticipation of the full inheritance yet to come. We are not just called to God’s service—we are sealed and anointed for it.
Conclusion: God’s Good Pleasure
Ephesians 1:1–14 reveals a sweeping panorama of grace. We are chosen, redeemed, adopted, enlightened, and sealed—not because of our performance, but because of God’s good pleasure. Everything flows from His will, is secured by His Son, and is sealed by His Spirit.
Barclay writes, “The whole of salvation is designed to bring glory to God by showing what His love can do.” This passage calls us to rest not in what we can do for God, but in what God has done for us. We live with assurance, not anxiety. We walk as people called to reflect the praise of His glory.
Reflection Questions
1. What does it mean to you that God chose you before the foundation of the world?
God’s choice reminds us that our existence is not accidental. We are not working to earn His favor—we are living in response to the fact that we already have it. “He chose us… to be holy and blameless in his sight” (v. 4). This truth grounds our identity in divine love, not personal performance.
2. How might your life change if you truly believed you are redeemed and sealed?
Redemption through Christ’s blood (v. 7) means your past no longer defines you. The sealing of the Spirit (v. 13) means your future is secure. You can stop striving for approval and live with confidence and peace, knowing you are deeply loved and fully accepted.
3. In what areas do you need to trust more deeply that God is working all things according to His will?
Verse 11 reminds us that God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” This includes not only joys but also delays, detours, and sorrows. Where is God inviting you to trust His timing and sovereignty today?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank You for choosing us, redeeming us, adopting us, and sealing us with Your Spirit. Help us live each day in the light of Your lavish grace and for the praise of Your glory. Amen.
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