This is the last post of In Christ Alone: What Every Christian Needs to Know More Deeply and Experience More Profoundly. There are 31 devotionals on the greatest reality, which is being “in Christ Jesus.” Every aspect of our salvation is only found in Him. The Lord willing, the book will be published in either December or January.
And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:6-7
The best is for last—not only at the end of this book, but also at the end of this age. God’s eternal purpose was “set forth in Christ” and is entirely based on “the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7-10). Everything is centered in Christ. He’s “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 21:6). In plain English: it’s all about Him!
God’s plan included choosing us “in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Having been chosen “in him,” we were (and are!) fully connected to every part of His great saving work. We were, so to speak, in His loins (see Heb. 7:9-10). What He performed, we performed. That’s why Paul wrote in Romans that we’ve died with Christ (see Rom. 6:8).
In today’s verses we read that God also “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places.” His resurrection from the dead is our resurrection from the dead; His ascension to heaven is our ascension to heaven. That’s why being “in Christ Jesus” is the totality of our salvation.
When all is said and done, God will show us “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” His infinite love for His Son is His infinite love for us. We’ll experience and enjoy everything Jesus is, has accomplished, and has obtained through His righteous life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. That’s good news!
The riches of His grace are immeasurable. To the Corinthians Paul wrote: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” Whatever is coming, it’s “freely given us by God” (1 Cor. 2:9, 12). That’s what grace is all about. There will be no boast in self, no matter how small, but only in God’s grace, having chosen us “in him before the foundation of the world.”
Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com
P.S. on December 1st we’ll start Joy to the World: Christmas throughout the Year. There are 25 devotionals, written for December 1st through December 25th. You can get your FREE copy right here.