God’s Plan (Part 2)

Understanding Ephesians 1:3–14

Ephesians 1:9-12 gives us deep knowledge about how God blesses us, has a pre-planned path for us, and how we are redeemed or saved. It highlights two main ideas – God as our loving Father and powerful King, and how this relationship can change us. It also relates Ephesians to the book of Colossians, emphasizing Jesus’s authority and the deep love of a parent, which is like how God loves us and wants us to be happy.

1. We need a King

We all have a hidden desire for a king, which can be seen in our interest in stories about royal families and legendary heroes. Although we now mostly live in democracies, the reasons for this change are different; some people believe that we are naturally good and can govern ourselves, while others think that democracies are necessary to prevent too much power being in one person’s hands due to our human flaws. Still, deep inside, we desire a king who is wise, strong, and kind. This longing suggests that we were made to live under such a rule, just like in the perfect world of Eden.

2. We need a plan

Accepting Jesus as our King gives us a sense of unity and completeness, as His ultimate goal is to bring everything together under His rule. It’s important to understand that Christianity affects all parts of our lives, and problems in society often come from people rejecting God. We are therefore encouraged to trust in God’s plan and accept His rule, even when life gets tough.