TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 1:1-9; 21:43-45
It is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of [our enemies] into our hands. - 1 Samuel 17:47
TODAY IN THE WORD
Are you one of those people who wants to know the ending of a book before you read it? Sometimes the assurance that the “good guys” will eventually prevail is comforting when the plot becomes too tense or suspenseful.

Yet knowing the outcome of the story doesn’t always keep one from feeling stressed! Although Joshua knew that God had promised the land to Israel as an inheritance (the outcome of this “book”), the Israelites still had to conquer its wicked inhabitants, who greatly outnumbered them. Clearly these odds weren’t lost on Joshua--three times (Josh. 1:6, 7, 9) the Lord commanded him to be courageous! In verse 9, the Lord went even further in His exhortation: “Do not be terrified.”

God’s command to Joshua settled Joshua’s emotions by establishing his mindset--the only way he could avoid terror was to focus on the Lord. Indeed God had promised: “No one will be able to stand up against you. . . . I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5).

And that’s exactly what happened. When the people trusted the Lord, even the strong walls of Jericho’s toppled (Josh. 5:13–6:21). But when the people stopped trusting the Lord to give what He had already promised, there was disaster (Josh. 9). The land was a divine gift--and so was the conquest and possession of the land. Everything was from God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even though God had promised Joshua victory, at some point Joshua still had to step into the battle.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 21; Micah 2:1-5
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak . . . he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. - Psalm 10:2, 3
TODAY IN THE WORD
The vineyard had been in the family forever, or so it seemed. Although others might have been tempted by the king’s offer to pay a good price for the land, Naboth was shocked that Ahab would even suggest that he sell the family inheritance--even to a king. How could a price be put on such a precious possession?

The evil king sulked away--pouting like a child who hadn’t gotten his way. Seeing him in such a despondent mood, his wife naturally wanted to know what was wrong. Never at a loss for what to do, Jezebel--even more evil than Ahab--arranged for a sham of a trial whose outcome was fixed to ensure that her husband would get what he wanted.

Righteous Naboth was falsely accused by two scoun-drels, was quickly found “guilty,” and was executed. The king was finally able to have the object of his greed--Naboth’s vineyard.

God’s severe condemnation and just anger made it quite clear that such blatant evil could not go unpunished (1 Kings 21:19–24). This divine indictment humbled Ahab (v. 29)--for a while at least.

As we saw yesterday, the well-being and preservation of a family was integrally tied to its land inheritance. Naboth was entirely right to refuse to sell his land. Moreover, the law specifically forbade the sale of land (Lev. 25:23; see Nov. 9). As king, Ahab should have known that family land was not to be sold. Instead of protecting those over whom he ruled, he greedily exploited them.

Today’s passage from Micah seems to describe Ahab and Jezebel perfectly! Although Micah prophesied at a much later time (Mic. 1:1), this passage applied to any number of kings during this sad period in Israel’s history, for abuse of power and injustice against the poor was widespread.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You’ve probably never fallen asleep plotting an evil act (Micah 2:1), but you may have drifted off nursing a grudge.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jeremiah 12:1-13
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. . . . For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. - Lamentations 3:31, 33
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Palais du Luxembourg sits at the end of the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. First built in 1631 for the widow of King Henri IV, the palace became the seat of the French Senate following the French Revolution, and its gardens are a public treasure.

It’s hard to imagine the sickening horror Parisians must have felt when, in 1942, Nazis occupied Paris and used the Palais as the headquarters of the Luftwaffe, the Air Force. The dreaded Third Reich flag replaced the beloved French Tricolor, and Nazi soldiers filled the gardens--even the warning signs telling people to “Keep Off the Grass” were in German. What outrage! What humiliation!

Occupation and desecration at any level are horrible. The poignancy of Jerusalem’s occupation was even more gut-wrenching, however, because it had been set apart as God’s own special possession (Jer. 12:7), or inheritance. Even worse, the people, also God’s inheritance, were roaring at Him like a lion (v. , so great was their arrogance and wickedness (v. 4). They had been originally set apart for God--now because of their horrible sin, they would be set apart for slaughter (v. 3). Even the land was forced to suffer judgment (v. 4).

The nation of Israel was intended to be a light and a blessing to the surrounding nations (Gen. 12:2–3; Isa. 42:6). Instead, it had adopted pagan worship of godless creatures. Because of His fundamentally righteous nature, God had no choice but to render judgment.

Today’s passage, however, makes it clear that God had no pleasure in rendering such judgment. Note the use of the pronouns “my” in this passage. The inheritance mentioned in Jeremiah 12:7 refers to both the land and the people, both of which God had to forsake because of the people’s sin. Foreign invaders weren’t just taking over any plot of land, they were invading God’s field and His vineyard--a common metaphor for Israel.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever considered that your sin is personally painful to God?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jeremiah 31:23-34
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts . . . so that you may love him with all your heart and with your soul, and live. - Deuteronomy 30:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Velveteen Rabbit,Margery Williams describes the magical process by which toys become “real.” It begins with love: “Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time.” In the end, the beloved Velveteen Rabbit is transformed into a real live bunny--the very thing that he had always wanted to be.

This children’s story teaches an important truth--the Velveteen Rabbit couldn’t change himself from a stuffed toy into a real rabbit. In a similar way, the exiled nation wasn’t able to transform itself to be restored with God and its land. If blatant and persistent failure to obey God’s law eventually brought about exile, only a fundamental change within could enable a return to the land, their inheritance. And that change was possible only with God.

Today’s passage opens with an amazing declaration of God’s sovereignty--just as His hand had brought about uprooting and destruction, so too His hand would certainly bring about planting and building (Jer. 31:28). These verses emphasize something we considered yesterday: God’s judgment is ultimately about restoration.

Moreover, restoration is available to each individual. The proverb quoted in verse 29 reflected the day’s conventional wisdom, namely, that a subsequent generation suffered unjustly for the sins of a previous generation. Contrary to this false proverb, today’s passage shows that each individual is accountable for his or her own sin, just as each individual may repent and receive the Lord. Dispelling this false “wisdom” was necessary so that the exiles could believe that restoration, at both the national and individual level, was even possible.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If divine judgment entails the rooting out of sin, today’s passage shows that the “other side” of this judgment is planting something new.

Yesterday in Today Along the Way, we spoke of times of exile in our lives. Today’s passage speaks of restoration and uses two powerful metaphors: planting and building.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 16
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the musical The Sound of Music, based on the true story of the von Trapp Family Singers, a new governess Maria arrives to care for a widowed captain’s seven children. Although the captain professes to love his children, he often leaves for long periods, trying to cope with his own pain. Even when he is present physically, he substitutes governesses and gifts for emotional involvement with his children. His physical and emotional distance places an immense strain on the entire family.

Even the finest gifts in the world can’t satisfy what the human heart really wants--not things, but relationship. King David, who had unbelievable success and wealth, clearly understood this. At the beginning of today’s psalm, David exclaimed that if God were not a part of his life, he would have nothing good (Ps. 16:2). Trying to find life from any other source only leads to sorrow (v. 4).

Furthermore, David realized that ultimately God alone determined and gave what he needed. The “boundary lines” (v. 6) refer to the same process of allotting the promised land that we read about earlier in Numbers (see Nov. 11).

Here David used this imagery to describe the things that God had given him in life, both tangible and intangible. “Portion” (v. 5) often referred to one’s destiny, or “lot,” in life. Thus David was acknowledging that God has given him a good portion, or as we might say, a good life.

The cup (v. 5) was used by the priests and Levites in Temple worship. It’s perhaps mentioned here to link back to the concept of God as Levites’ inheritance (see Nov. ; here David applied this truth on the individual level.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes it’s hard to grasp that God Himself is the most delightful inheritance possible.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 37
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. - Matthew 5:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
In recent decades, insurance fraud has become increasingly “profitable.” Some estimate that swindlers make about $100 million annually from fake claims. Other crimes are equally “lucrative”-embezzlers net an estimated $4 billion per year.

Sometimes it’s hard to see that crime doesn’t pay. That may have been how David felt when he wrote today’s psalm. Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, in which the ways of the wicked and the righteous are contrasted. This psalm teaches that the “here and now” offers a pretty limited perspective. The ultimate outcome of those who consistently reject the Lord and His ways is not gain, but assured destruction (Ps. 37:33, 34, 38). That’s why there is repeated encouragement not to envy the wicked (vv. 1, 7)-in the end, they will perish.

In a similar way, the eternal destiny for those who trust the Lord may not be immediately apparent, but it’s divinely assured. As opposed to the wicked, who plot and deceive, those who trust in the Lord are described as meek, or humble and gentle. Whereas the wicked take what they can get, the meek trust God to provide.

And what will God provide for the meek? Security and provision (v. 4), vindication (v. 5), and strength for living (vv. 17, 23--24, 39--40). This psalm also says that the meek will inherit the land (vv. 9, 11, 22, 29).

Scholars are not exactly sure what this meant during David’s time; it could have reflected a general time of peace in the land or it could have pointed to a future messianic time. Either way, it viewed the land as the place where the blessings and provisions of the Lord were experienced.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Did you notice the repeated encouragement in Psalm 37 not to fret when those who practice evil succeed?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 2
His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. - Zechariah 9:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Edward VII ascended to the British throne in 1901 upon the death of Queen Victoria, he assumed “the reins of the empire upon which the sun never set,” so called because of the vast extent of the British Empire at that time. It might have seemed that Edward VII had indeed received the nations as an inheritance, although as we shall see, the psalmist had something much different in mind.

Psalm 2 was composed as a royal psalm to be read at the coronation of a new Davidic king. In the ancient world, the ascension of a new king to the throne was often a vulnerable time because nations or tribes who were subjects of the kingdom would try to rebel and break away during the transition. This explains the tumultuous tone of the first part of the psalm (vv. 1–3).

Israel’s kings, however, were anointed by God (v. 6). Consequently, their confidence was to have been grounded in their relationship with God and His sovereignty. Part of the coronation ceremony included reciting the decree recorded in verses 7 through 9. The king’s dependence on God was stated in terms of adoption-God would be like a father to the king, His son. The nations under the king’s rule were presented to him as an “inheritance.”

It’s clear in reading Psalm 2 that it pointed to something far beyond the immediate line of Davidic kings. As a messianic psalm, Psalm 2 anticipated the Davidic king, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Whereas Israelite kings were “adopted” sons at their coronation, Jesus Christ is the One True Son of God and fulfills the psalm as no other king ever could. Because He is the Son, He is rightfully entitled to the inheritance-all the nations of the world (v. . As the King, He rules with unbreakable justice and sure judgment (v. 9). No wonder the kings of the earth are exhorted to be wise and to serve the Lord with fear (v. 10).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
For most of us, kingly majesty is hard to imagine. It’s sometimes hard to envision Jesus as King.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 15:11-32
You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. - Nehemiah 9:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1982, Curtis Sharp won millions in the lottery. An instant celebrity, he was the “toast of New York” . . . for a while. It wasn’t long, however, before Curtis spent his entire fortune on lavish parties and extravagant purchases. Fortunately, this “riches-to-rags” story has a “happy” ending: Curtis is now a pastor who works with the homeless and convicts. The life of Curtis Sharp is like a modern paraphrase of today’s parable.

Although a father could divide his estate prior to his death in ancient times, it was very unusual. It was absolutely unheard of, however, for a son to ask his father to do so. Jesus began this parable by showing just how disrespectful and arrogant the younger son was (Luke 15:12). Some scholars believe that his request was the equivalent of wishing that his father were dead. The father’s willingness to grant his son’s request revealed his great love. Because the father was wealthy, the younger son set off with a sizeable sum of money.

But, like Curtis Sharp, the younger son squandered his inheritance, and was eventually forced to feed pigs (v. 15). Since pigs were “unclean” to Jews (Lev. 11:7), this job showed

how far he had fallen. The final humiliation of having to eat the pigs’ food finally brought him to his senses (Luke 15:16–17). Utterly broken and contrite-notice the contrast to his earlier attitude!-the younger son returned home, expecting judgment and hoping only to work for his father. Nothing had prepared him for a reception of pure grace! The robe, the ring, and the sandals (v. 22) were all tangible signs of restoration and acceptance.

In stark contrast to the father’s overflowing love and forgiveness stood the sharp bitterness of the older son. To one hardened against God, the restoration of a sinner seems terribly unfair (vv. 29–30).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s often when we “hit bottom” that we begin to recognize our need for the Savior Jesus Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Mark 10:17-31
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. - John 3:36
TODAY IN THE WORD
It’s hard to imagine a successful businessperson running up to someone on Wall Street asking, “What do I have to do to get eternal life?” Or imagine this question being asked at a sports star’s press conference! Questions about eternal life can seem out of place in our “bottom line,” materialistic world. Yet browsing in a book-store or listening to a popular talk show quickly reveals that a lot of people are offering--often for a price--some how-to advice for eternal happiness.

In Jesus’ day, people were asking this same question. Rabbis taught that eternal life required strict obedience to complicated food and purity laws. Many people feared that they would never obtain eternal life.

Like the rich young man, they wondered how to ensure their eternal destiny. When Jesus questioned the young man about calling Him “good,” He was trying to get him to look beyond Jesus as merely a “good teacher.” Furthermore, when Jesus brought up the Ten Com-mandments, it was to move the young man beyond thinking that eternal life could be obtained through one’s own actions. That’s why Jesus told him to give up all he had. It wasn’t that wealth was bad in and of itself, it was that this man valued material wealth more than heavenly treasure. His wealth was actually keeping him from the very thing he sought-eternal life.

Many people at this time believed that wealth was evidence of God’s favor. They also believed that it was obvious that wealthy people would receive eternal life. That’s why the disciples were so shocked by Jesus’ interaction with this man (Mark 10:26). If a rich person wasn’t necessarily saved, what could a poor fisherman like Peter possibly give up to merit eternal life? But Jesus was showing both Peter and this rich young man that eternal life wasn’t about doing, it’s about receiving--receiving Jesus Christ is the only way to enter the Kingdom of God and inherit eternal life.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that salvation is dependent on something we do.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 20:9-19
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
The story is told of a young boy who gave a stranger a $100 bill in exchange for quarter. Not knowing the value of money, the boy did know that a quarter would get the big bubble gum at the grocery store!

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day did not grasp the value of the Heir before them. For centuries the nation hoped for the Messiah, but they meant a political leader who would break Roman rule. The Jewish leaders missed the profound difference between the Liberator from sin and a mere political leader. But unlike the little boy, these leaders should have known, as today’s parable shows.

In the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (cf. Matt. 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12), today’s reading, the vineyard is a metaphor for the nation Israel (Isa. 5:1–7). The landlord represents God, the farmers represent the Jewish religious leaders, and the servants (Luke 20:10–12) represent the prophets. Finally, the son represents Jesus Christ.

Although this parable is an allegory, it reflects historical reality. Wealthy landowners frequently rented fields to tenant farmers who paid “rent” in the form of crops. These tenant farmers often revolted against the landowner. It was sometimes legally possible to take possession of a field if the original owner died.

More profoundly, however, this parable reflects the historical realities surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. Although God had faithfully sent prophets, who were treated like the servants in this parable, they had been rejected, just as God’s Son would be.

The reference to killing the son outside the vineyard (v. 15) corresponds to Jesus’ crucifixion outside Jerusalem. Yet contrary to the tenants’ hope of getting the vineyard, the parable showed that because the Jews rejected Jesus, the vineyard would be given to other “tenants” (v. 16)-the Gentiles.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today’s parable, Jesus showed that He was the true Heir. Understanding Jesus as Heir is necessary for understanding ourselves as co-heirs and partakers of the eternal inheritance-our focus for the remainder of this study.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 25:31-46
I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. - Matthew 25:40
TODAY IN THE WORD
A remarkable story is told about St. Francis. One day while riding his horse, he met a leper. The sheer horror of this man’s disfigured face and body stirred something deep within Francis. He dismounted his horse and flung his arms around the astonished man. As he held the leper, he was able to see Jesus in the face of the leper.

Seeing the face of Jesus in the outcast is central to today’s reading. Although similar to a parable, this passage describes an actual event (Rev. 20:11–15), judgment that will separate people into two groups (Matt. 25:32).

In Jesus’ time, sheep and goats often grazed together, but were separated for breeding and for sacrifices. In this judgment, however, the sheep and goats are separated on the basis of how they have (unknowingly) cared for those who were especially dear to Christ–the weak and the outcast.

The “least of these” (vv. 40, 45) may refer to Christian missionaries who have suffered for the gospel or to the poor and downtrodden in general. What is surprising is that actions done to those who seemed insignificant were actually done in some way to Christ directly.

This element of surprise helps us to see that the sheep weren’t trying to get into heaven because of their actions, but that their actions gave evidence of a life thoroughly governed by Christ. They were unaware that they had been ministering to Jesus; all they knew was that they had helped the hungry, the thirsty, the needy, the sick, and the imprisoned. Yet because of their relationship with Jesus, these people were displaying the same type of compassion characteristic of Him. Similarly, the “goats” were unaware that those whom they had overlooked had anything to do with Jesus.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How we treat the “insignificant”–those from whom we can expect nothing–says a lot about our relationship with Jesus.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Galatians 3:15-29
There were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile . . . and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. - Matthew 1:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, her link to British royalty could be traced back to Ecgberht, the ninth century a.d. Saxon king. Although the British royal line contains many twists and turns, a discernable line extends for over twelve centuries.

The numerous biblical genealogies show that lineage is also important in Scripture. Ultimately, however, one genealogy is of paramount importance–the one that extends from Christ back to Abraham. But why is this so important? Because all of the promises given to Abraham pointed to and were fulfilled in one of his descendants–Jesus Christ.

Paul begins today’s passage with an example from everyday life. The word covenant (Gal. 3:15) refers to a legal “last will and testament,” but the same word is used for the various covenants in the Bible. Just as a legal will is considered binding, so too (and even more so) God’s covenant with Abraham is binding.

Moreover, because the inheritance given to Abraham was rooted in a promise, the introduction of the law, four hundred and thirty years after the promise, cannot supercede the promise. In other words, a person cannot obtain the inheritance by means of the law, but only through the promise.

In fact the law was added because of human sin (v. 19). The law acted like a “guardian,” revealing a person’s need for salvation until the Savior Jesus Christ came. That’s why the law can’t be opposed to the promise; it was designed to do something altogether different. The promise points to salvation in Christ, and the law points to the need for this salvation. That’s how the law can point us to Christ (v. 24).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Understanding the differences between promise, law, faith, and obedience isn’t always easy.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Titus 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. - Hebrews 9:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
The concept of redemption is fascinating and has its origin in the marketplace. Recall from Leviticus 25 (see Nov. 9) that extreme poverty could force the sale of one’s land or even oneself into slavery. It was the duty of a close relative to buy back, or “redeem,” this individual or property. By New Testament times, “redemption” often meant purchasing a slave’s freedom.

This background illustrates our own redemption from the slavery of sin. Titus 3:3 gives a sad “before” picture of life prior to salvation. Like a fettered slave, we were bound by “passions and pleasures.” Unseen chains ensnared our hearts so that we were disobedient to God and “hated and hating” toward each other.

Scripture teaches God’s righteous judgment on this sinful condition, but also shows that God’s answer to this depravity is restoration through repentance (see Nov. 15). Titus 3 describes this in terms of our Savior’s kindness and love (v. 4), salvation, and mercy (v. 5).

In fact, verses 4 through 7 provide a clear summary of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Because of God’s mercy, He saved us by new birth through the renewal by the Holy Spirit, poured out through Jesus Christ (v. 6) so that we could have eternal life (v. 7). In essence, Christ paid the price of our redemption from sin through His own blood, shed on the cross.

But even more than that, God also made us heirs who have “the hope of eternal life.” We will look more closely at our status as heirs in our study tomorrow.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
By God’s grace, your “pre-Christian” life may not have resembled 1 Corin-thians 6:9-11. Still Scripture says we all were dead in sin before we were saved (Eph. 2:1).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Romans 8:12-25
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. - Romans 8:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
Susie always knew that she had been adopted. When she was old enough, her parents told her how God had miraculously allowed them to adopt her days after the death of their firstborn child.

As she grew, she never felt different from her younger brother and sister, who had not been adopted. Although Susie knew very little about her birth mother, she knew that this poor woman died soon after Susie’s birth. Susie couldn’t imagine what would have happened to her if she had not been adopted into a caring home.

The legal process by which a person is adopted into a family presents a powerful analogy for the spiritual condition that results when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Today’s passage shows that when we received the Holy Spirit, we received the “Spirit of sonship,” or adoption, by which we are able to cry out to the Father just as a small child would (Rom. 8:15).

Yesterday, we saw that our condition prior to salvation was likened to slavery. Today we see clearly that salvation has not only redeemed us from slavery, but it has also placed us into the family of God. We are no longer slaves to sin, but children of God (v. 16).

Additionally, our adopted status as God’s children also means that we are heirs. As the Parable of the Wicked Tenants (see Nov. 22) made clear, the only true Heir is the Son, Jesus Christ, who has inherited all things (Heb. 1:2). Think about it! When we received the Spirit of sonship, we were made “co-heirs” with Christ (Rom. 8:17). With Him, we will share in this eternal inheritance.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you look in the mirror and see an “heir” or “heiress”? You should, because that’s who you are as a believer!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 1:3-14
Now it is God who . . . has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. - 2 Corinthians 5:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Most people are fairly familiar with the concept of a deposit–a sum of money that is paid guaranteeing full payment. Realtors, for example, typically require at least a ten-percent deposit, or down payment, from homebuyers. From this, regular payments are established so that the full price of the house is received.

Although many of us understand this concept applied to houses, we may not understand it as well regarding the single most important “down payment” of our lives–the “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance,” that is, the Holy Spirit.

Today’s passage praises God the Father for His marvelous deeds in Christ Jesus. First Paul thanks God for “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). One way to understand this is that all that is necessary for life is ours through the Holy Spirit. Although the full expression of this awaits us in heaven, we experience these spiritual blessings here and now. We looked at one of the blessings yesterday–the Spirit of sonship, or adoption (Rom. 8:15). Another blessing is redemption (Eph. 1:7), which we looked at two days ago.

Today’s passage shows us that we have been redeemed and adopted so that we might be “holy and blameless in his sight” (v. 4). Because we are now in Christ, our lives are completely different than they were apart from Christ.

In Christ, we receive knowledge of God’s good purposes for life–the knowledge that all things will be brought under Christ’s rule (v. 10). In the New Testament, mysteryrefers to something hidden that God has revealed. Unlike our use of this word, mystery here does not describe something that is unknowable.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Sometimes “spiritual blessings” seem very far removed from “here and now.”

One way to link the “now” with the “not yet” is to understand that these blessings are partly evident now, but will be fully manifest in heaven.