June 05, 2019: SOAP #3471:  Proverbs 30,31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:4 In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons 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.

Observation:   Although grace reached to us through the life and work of Jesus, it is clearly found in the heart of our Father God!  In verse six, the grace that is extended freely to us through Christ is seen as belonging to the Father. How He must have suffered to stand aside while His Son purchased our redemption.  Jesus sacrificed His life; but the Father sacrificed His Son!

Jesus is not the “One He used,” but the “One He loves.” Jesus is here spoken of as the “beloved” or the “One he loves.” Do not think that the Father did not hurt when His beloved Son died!

Who can understand the greatness of God’s grace to us? I wonder if we will even understand it better when we get to heaven. We will appreciate it more, for we will understand better the love the Father has for the Son. We will appreciate it more for we will better understand the glory the Son was willing to leave to bring many sons to the Father!  But will we ever fully understand the motivational depths of that grace? Only then will we know!

Application:   This verse helps me better appreciate: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son…”  (John 3:16)   The sacrifice for me of Jesus on the cross is because of the sacrifice of God the Father for me in heaven!  Father God determined that what He would gain by sending His Only Begotten Son would make the sacrifice worth the pain and suffering.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your sacrifice in sending your Son to die for my sins.  May you be rewarded in gaining a large family of sons and daughters just like Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!