Day 39: One Body in Christ, United by Divine Plan
Ephesians 1:11–12
In working with the elderly and dying over the years, a conversation about inheritances occasionally takes place. Most often, the person anticipating the end of life shares their wish to leave something valuable to a family member whom they treasured and loved. The heartfelt desire is to leave loved ones something that will make a difference in their life after they are gone.
In Ephesians 1:10–11, Paul has just told believers how they became God’s people. Now the next question is why. Because “we have obtained an inheritance” (Eph. 1:11, NASB). We have gained an eternal inheritance because someone shared their faith in Christ with us while they were still living. Our inheritance received from Christ is meant to be shared now, in unity with the Body of Christ to a lost world. How are we passing on our spiritual inheritance today while we are living?
John R. W. Stott, a distinguished scholar, reminds us “to live to the praise of the glory of his grace is both to worship him by our words and deeds as the gracious God he is, and to cause others to see and praise Him too.” This can certainly come through the life of an individual; but much more so through the life and testimony of a whole community in relation with each other and with God as their focus, a community giving daily of the inheritance each of us have in Christ while we live to the praise of His glorious grace.
Reflection Prayer
O God, let the joy of what I have inherited through faith in Your gracious salvation daily flow over into my words and actions. Let our hope in You as a Church bring love to a lost world, resulting in the beautiful song of praise to Your glorious grace. Let my spiritual inheritance be shared today to make an eternal difference. In the name of my Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
Week 6: Christ and His Church
Acts 1:8
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ and His Church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus stated, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The Church represents the collective Body of Believers unified by His love and empowered by His Spirit to witness for Him and execute the mission entrusted to us by Jesus. Recognizing the significance of this unity, adversaries attempt to undermine the mission through deception and conflict. Jesus calls for strength, courage, and unity to overcome these challenges. He has established a clear purpose for His Church, inviting believers to be the salt and light of the earth. It is essential that our actions shine before others, so they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Let us persist in collaborating with our King as He builds His Church.
Reflection Questions
How are you serving in your local church, and where might God be calling you next?
Have you invited your neighbors to church before?
How do you plan to pray for your church this week?