March 30 In Love

Ephesians 1:4b in love 5 he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
 
AS you are an astute reader, I’m sure you have noticed the words “In love” at the end of verse 4 yesterday and now here I’ve included it with verse 5. This is the way it is written in several translations, including the English Standard Version I’m using.
    In this week following Easter – Resurrection Sunday – I focus on this “in love” phrase for a resurrection reason. Paul beautifully summarizes why you and I are celebrating our risen Lord today and each day of our lives forevermore. See here how 1) In love, our Lord God predestined – preplanned and planned for – you and I to become his children. 2) In love, the Father has adopted you to become his child as proclaimed in John 1:12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” 3) In love, your salvation is not an accident but results from the Father’s “purpose of his will.” 4) In love, we now offer praise to the Father’s glorious grace, the gift of new life in Jesus. And 5) In love, you rejoice in your Risen Savior as the Father has blessed you as his beloved child. In God’s love, you are his. In your love, you worship the living Savior. I like the way the Complete Jewish Bible writes this: Ephesians 1:4-5 In the Messiah he chose us in love before the creation of the universe to be holy and without defect in his presence. 5 He determined in advance that through Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah we would be his sons — in keeping with his pleasure and purpose.”
    Yes, surely as you confess, “Jesus is my Lord.” you can believe and confess the greatest message in history: Matthew 28:6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
    Celebrate the love God has chosen for you to receive. Rejoice in your heart that loves him in return.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your gracious love on my eternal soul. I love you, Lord God, Father, Son and Spirit. In my risen Savior’s name, I pray. Amen.