O = If I have heard the good news of salvation in Christ,
that he not only died to pay the price for our sins but that he rose from the
dead, and I believed it, something amazing has happened. By “believed” the
author means not just that I intellectually agree that it happened (which it
did), and that what Jesus did was for my sins (which it was), but that I am to
put my full, complete, and un-hedged trust in Jesus for my salvation. The
Ephesians had done that. They hadn’t kept a foot in their old works,
superstitions, and errors (Acts 19). This passage tells me that when I heard
and trusted in Christ I was sealed with the Spirit. I was marked as Christ’s and
the Holy Spirit is my guarantee that Jesus will bring everything to pass as he
has promised! What he does in me, and in all his people, will cause praise to
be offered to his glory.
A = So how do I apply this passage to my life this week? I
have to ask myself if I am still hearing “the word of truth” and if it is still
“good news” to me? If I am not listening and rejoicing in it then I need to
repent. If complaining has crept into my words and doubt about my value in
God’s eyes has seeped into my soul then it is time to read again the words of this
Epistle. I know that I believe in the reality and power of the Holy Spirit, but
how much room do I give him to work in my heart? If my affections have begun to
make my heart look like a hoarder’s house filled with leftovers from life apart
from Christ then it is time for me to ask for the Holy Spirit to come in cleansing
power in my life…and he never leaves things as they were!
P = O Lord, restore to me the joy of your salvation. Let it
never be a small thing to me! Your plan is greater than I can see or understand,
but thank you for including me anyway. May your Spirit bring conviction this
week where conviction is needed and draw me closer into relationship with you
my Savior! Please empower me this week that my life would bring praise to you
alone! Amen.
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