The Process of Salvation

Ephesians 1:13-17

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. 15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

The first couple verses of this passage talk about God’s faithfulness.  He begins by mentioning, in simple terms, the process of salvation: hearing the truth (the seed has been planted) and then believing.  Other sections of the bible discuss this in more detail, specifying that the choice to seek God is ours, but the belief itself comes from Him.  In believing, we receive the Holy Spirit, which Paul describes here as the seal of a promise of our salvation.  It is a reminder that we are His.  Think of it as a promissory note for our inheritance in heaven.

Paul’s thankfulness for their salvation made me realize something: how often do we thank God for the salvation of others?  I mean, occasionally I remember to thank Him for my own salvation and I thank Him for the salvation of a certain few who I know that received Christ as their Savior, but how often do I thank God for the salvation that already exists in my friends?

Paul throws in another example of the triune God by mentioning the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.  I love reading the bible because God truly directs me to answer my questions through His word, as the “trinity” has been on my heart a lot lately, wanting to learn more about it.

I think the end of the sentence in verse 17 is important for all believers.  In fact, I think it is important for all people, period.  That God give us a spirit of His wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.  Is this not praying for the salvation of those who are not saved, and praying for the increase in faith for those who are?

Today I feel like there were a bunch of elements strung together in this passage today.  I probably could have cut it down into single verses, but I felt like this passage needed to be shared as a whole.  I think that for one, it actually lays out the process of salvation: By Grace (verse13,14)-Through Faith (verse 15)-Into Baptism(verse 17, “spirit of wisdom and knowledge).  It is out of this whole process of salvation that we are given a promise, one to be eternally thankful for, and that should be shared amongst everyone.

Who will you share it with today?

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