In Christ: From Rags to Riches video

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Are you in Christ? Or are you not yet in Christ?

The running theme in the book of Ephesians is being “In Christ.” Paul, who wrote this letter under very difficult circumstances, begins, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph.1:3). He addressed believers who were indescribably rich in Christ but were living a beggarly existence because of ignorance of their ‘true wealth’. Thus, they walked like spiritual paupers.

How do Christians live a beggarly existence? By allowing the following to take control of their lives: anger/bitterness, discouragement, discontentment, worry, desire for popularity, success and material things.

We need to realize that God’s resources are infinite. His economy is different. Remember this important principle: Understanding our spiritual wealth in Christ will allow us to live a life that pleases God and blesses others. So, what is our “wealth” in Christ?

A. We are CHOSEN. When were we chosen? Yesterday? Today? No. We were chosen even before the creation of the world. As it is written, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will...” (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Spiritual blessings are blessings that the world cannot manufacture. Even the most inventive human mind could never conceive of the blessing we have in Christ. Only God could make them a reality and give them to us. Being chosen is a privilege.

But, sometimes we ask, “Do I deserve it?” This is a wrong mentality that goes squarely against the teaching of God’s Word. We have not been chosen for any reason we might have. We were chosen, period. It was God’s sovereign choice because of His grace and love for us. The Bible teaches us, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

Also, Romans 8:15 says, “…but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Since we were graciously adopted as children of God, we should therefore practice humility — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Are our lives characterized by humility, gentleness and patience? If not, we need to understand our wealth in Christ so that our wealth will impact our walk.

B. We are REDEEMED by the Son. Redemption in the original language has the idea of the payment of ransom. In the Philippine context, we hear of very large ransom paid for people who are held hostage.

But the ultimate ransom paid for our sake was the death of Jesus, so we can be rescued from the darkness we were once in. In Colossians 1:13-14 we are told, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”.

Consequently, if we have been ransomed, rescued and redeemed, why would we not apply it to ourselves and forgive those we need to forgive? Paul tells us, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

C. We are SEALED with the Holy Spirit. The word “sealed” implies “stamped for security.” It is just like when Jesus was buried and Pilate ordered the soldiers, “You need to guard that tomb and I will put my seal on it.” It meant it was under royal jurisdiction and could not be touched as it belonged to the highest authority.

Paul says, “…Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession...” (Ephesians 1:13-14). When we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, we will not be lost along the way. We will arrive in the eternal kingdom that God has intended for us.

Does that encourage you? It also said that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as a “deposit.” The idea here is earnest money. It is like buying a piece of land and reserving it. As it is written, “…And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).

Knowing this wonderful truth, we are to watch the way we live, “Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Friends, we need to give God our offering of thanksgiving. We need to give God the glory for the work He has done and continues to do in our lives.

Some people might say it’s difficult to live the Christian life. Paul provides us the answer: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” (Eph.1:18-20). What is this power? It is the mighty power that lives in each of us that allows us to live a life pleasing to God.

We are chosen, redeemed and sealed. These comprise our true wealth in Christ. Let us understand this wealth to be able to live lives that please God and bless others. Experience a changed life from rags to riches NOW!