You Are…

One year our choir director led our Sunday school class in a study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He had us do a pretty interesting exercise. He asked us to read the first three chapters and list all the things God has done for us in Christ. It really is amazing. For three chapters, Paul goes on and on about who we already are, what’s already been done for us, and what’s already true.

Paul tells us we are blessed, chosen, predestined, given, redeemed, forgiven, included, marked, made alive, saved, raised up, seated with, created, brought near; we are fellow citizens, members, being built together. There is not one single command for the first half of the letter. He doesn’t tell us to do anything. He simply recalls who we are and how much we are loved.

Our teacher reminded the class that Paul wrote the letter this way because he knew that what we believe about ourselves would ultimately shape how we live.  

So what do you believe about yourself? Regardless of anything you have done or failed to do, Paul claims that you are loved, chosen, blessed, forgiven, redeemed…. 

May you hear and believe.

Let us pray: God of grace, we thank you for your unconditional love. Help us to accept this love and share it with a world desperately in need. Amen.