Background Story: The book of Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul as a letter to the church of Ephesus during his time in prison. We can read more about Paul’s time in Ephesus in Acts 19.

Read Ephesians 1:3-14

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 predestined us for adoption to sonship 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 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.

¹¹ 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, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Big Idea: God knew us when He chose us.

Ephesians 1:8 says “With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will.” WOW…read that again! That means, God knew what He knew you, all of you, when He called you! “But I still screw up and make mistakes,” you say. Yes… me too.

What’s unimaginable is that God knows us completely (even those dark places) and even in knowing all of it, He still chose to love us, forgive us, and draw us to Himself. That grace or underserved favor from Him does not compute in my small mind because it isn’t logical. We are used to getting what we deserve; but with God, He has given us what we don’t deserve! This underserved grace is not because of who we are, but it is because of who God is.

What can we do in response to such grace? Verse 12 says that we were chosen that we, “might be for the praise of his glory.” We respond by living for His glory and not our own. We live for the One who has called us blessed, chosen, loved, predestined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, marked, sealed, and His possession. We respond by praising Him with our lives. Today, take some time to thank and praise Him for the truth of these words surrendering your life to be used for His glory.

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Dig Deeper: Romans 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Romans 7:22-8:3, Matthew 18:23-27, Luke 22:31-34, 1 John 1:5-2:2, 1 Peter 1:18-22, Romans 11:30-12:1

Similar Devotions: Love Story, Law Breaker, Wedding Clothes, It’s Personal 2, Authentic Worship, Ultimate Miracle, A Different Love, The Suffering Savior, More Than Religion, Who I Am, The Curtain, Morning Light

Devotions4Teens Video: Salvation in Jesus, The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation