Ephesians 1:4

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. 

We now begin exploring the blessings in the spiritual realm, which we will fully realize when Jesus returns. 

BLESSINGS IN DIFFICULTY

One verse that some people don't allow to mess with their carefully created wrong theology is this:

For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone. (1 Corinthians 15:19)

We have hope in this life, but it is mixed with persecution and, at times, martyrdom; ask Stephen, for example (Acts 7). But some people might say these things happened to them because they lacked faith. That's not good.

We have hope in this life, but when we compare our lives outwardly with the unbelievers on the outside, there may be many things that we would say they are doing better. 

So the ultimate measure of Christianity cannot be things tied to this life, but to the life to come. That is the truth. 

Paul and Barnabas telling a group of Christians that "We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions," may not make sense to many people (Acts 14:22).

That the number one blessing is that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him, and that what motivated him to do that was because of his love for us, does not make sense to those looking at their bank account for the meaning of salvation.  

DIVINE PRIORITY

The focus verse echoes Jesus's words. He said in John 15:16 that He chose the apostles, and they did not choose Him. He said He chose them so they would bear fruit (John 15:16).

He made it clear that His priority for them is to bear fruit, and because of that, they should remain in Him (John 15:4).

This focus verse is telling us God's priority for us as believers: to be holy and blameless before Him. Everything else should be seen as feeding into that, including the spiritual service (Matthew 11:29) and persecution/difficulty (Hebrews 12:7-13). 

If viewed as two sides of the same coin, the holiness is what you are doing, and the blamelessness is what you are not doing. 

And it is "before Him," meaning it also involves the thoughts of our hearts. It also means He is the final arbiter, the judge, the measure. 

That is why, when Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), He revealed a God who is not just interested in what we do but also in what we think, our drive, our motivation, our bent of mind, and our emotions, imagination.

Even though Paul was an observant Jew, he concluded that the commandment not to covet trapped him (Romans 7:7-8). 

No one would see him coveting what his neighbor has, which is something happening inside, but God did. And while he might justify himself before man, he cannot do it before, as the light of God shines a bright light on what is happening in his heart. 

DIVINE CHOICE

This focus verse conveys the idea of being chosen by God before the foundation of the world. That means you are not an afterthought. God knows your name. His commitment to you predates your commitment to Him. Rest in that.

He chose you in Christ, meaning you are part of His eternal plan that He formulated in Christ. 

This is about a union that was determined before you were conceived in your mother's womb, before the first stars emerged, before God said, "Let there be light," in Genesis 1. You are not an afterthought.

And now that you are on earth, it is time for you to walk in that reality, as you have the blood of Jesus pave the way for the Holy Spirit to dwell in your heart (Hebrews 10:22). 

That means God relocated His headquarters inside of you to steer you in the direction of His holiness and in the direction of being blameless. You have His operational system installed in you, if you will.

Indeed, a time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. It will not be like the old covenant that I made with their ancestors when I delivered them from Egypt. For they violated that covenant, even though I was like a faithful husband to them,” says the Lord. “But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land,” says the Lord. “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

Christ was the seed sown, and you are the harvest. He said, Except a grain of wheat falls down to the ground and dies, it abides alone, but if it does, it bears much fruit (John 12:24), and the fruit is you.

The life of God is now seeded into us, and we are meant to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) since we are born of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8), born of God who is Spirit (John 4:24). 

God has chosen us in Christ to please Him, and we should express that in our lives at all times and in all places.

He chose us before the foundation of the world. How incredible is that! That should tell you it is just the beginning when you close your eyes in this world. Hallelujah!

Rejecting Money-For-Blessings Schemes in the Church

Rejecting Money-For-Blessings Schemes in the ChurchAre you tired of the spiritual pressure to “sow a seed” for divine favor? Have you been left disillusioned by doctrines that portray God as a cosmic merchant who must be paid before He will bless you?This book, Rejecting Money-For-Blessings Schemes in the Church, offers a critical and deeply scriptural examination of modern financial doctrines that have crept into the church. It meticulously dismantles the notion that giving is a transaction meant to control God or “activate” a miracle.In this essential work, you will: Reclaim the True Picture of God: Understand God as the generous Father who gives to all—even the unrighteous—and whose nature is to give freely, not to withhold until a price is paid. Discover Biblical Giving: Uncover the true foundation for Christian giving, which begins with acknowledging that “everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours” (1 Chronicles 29:14). Expose Misinterpretation: Systematically refute the false application of biblical parables, such as the Sower, and historical accounts, like the widow of Zarephath, to money-for-blessing schemes. Embrace a Cheerful Heart: Be released from the compulsion and fear-based giving tactics and learn to give “just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Reaffirm Christ’s Supremacy: Solidify your belief that “Christ who is your life” (Colossians 3:4), not material wealth, is the center of your devotion. This is a vital resource for anyone who has felt exploited, confused, or burdened by financial demands in a spiritual context. Return to the pure, unadulterated devotion to Christ, where the access to every good gift is secured by His blood, not your money. Reclaim the joy of true giving as an act of worship, not a down payment on a blessing.