< Back

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

For he [God] 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, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6

Read: Ephesians 1:1-14
Listen: Ephesians 1

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus is baptized, and the voice of God says, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). God’s words confirm the identity of Jesus. This identity of Jesus as the Son, and his obedience to the will of the Father, directly ties to our identity in Jesus. Because Jesus is who he is and did what he did, we are able to enjoy a relationship with God. Paul describes this relationship in Ephesians 1.

Trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin means we are adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 1:5). This adoption gives us “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), “redemption through his blood” and “forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). In much the same way God reminded Jesus of who he is, sometimes we need to be reminded of who we are in Christ. Not knowing our identity in Christ or looking for that identity in other places results in far less life far than what God wants for us. When we reflect on our identity in Christ, we can live in confident obedience to the God who brought us into his family.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

In your journal, list the things Paul says are true of you as a believer in Jesus in Ephesians 1:1-14. Then, every time you pray today, thank God for one of the things on your list. Allow your identity in Jesus to shape all that you do.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.