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, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 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 according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Ephesians 1: 3-10 NIV
These verses say so much more than three things about God, but let me tease out just three things for my own sake. I am so glad I stumbled upon this idea from my old journal because I definitely need my genuine identity spoken into my life right now.
God is…
Relational. Even before God created me, God invented a way for me to be in relationship with God in spite of any sins I might commit (verse 4).
Rich. God oozes with richness and wealth. There is nothing about God that is wanting or lacks anything. God does not need anything from me. God is a Being who has total completeness. Everything that is (except evil) has been created through and by God. God’s wealth brings life and abundance of life to any part of the universe that desires it.
Intimate. “He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure.” Ephesians 1:9. God is not just relational but wants us to know him. God wants us to know the mysteries of His will. God doesn’t withhold Himself but freely reveals Himself to humankind.
In relation to God, I am…
Accepted. God knew the sins of my ancestors before I was ever born. God also knew my sin, yet chose open a way for me to commune with God. Nothing I can do will ever make it impossible for me to abide with God… if only I turn to God in repentance. Resistance against the Holy Spirit is what can separate me from God’s love (Matt 12:32).
Gifted. God has shared lavish richness with me. I lack nothing. The abundance of the storehouses of heaven have been poured out on me. I have been fully supplied and have all I need. I have more than I need. The wealth of God’s abundance surrounds me, and any lack I perceive is simply a result of my blindness to God’s provision. The wealth of heaven has been given to me, and Jesus Christ has opened the way for me to access it.
Able to Discern. Ephesians 1:9 reminds me of Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” It is possible for me to know the will of God. This will has been revealed in Jesus Christ and can be worked out in my life as I renew my mind to think like Christ. One of the gifts God has given me is the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Praise be to God’s holy name! How can I lack anything? God created me; God’s riches have been lavished on me; and I have the mind of Christ. I am well-supplied!
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