God loved you, chose you, created you, adopted you, purchased you, redeemed you, forgave you, and sealed you. You are His. There is nothing you did to earn these spiritual blessings. They are solely rooted in His character, desire, and good pleasure. Therefore, the stability of your relationship with God is not dependent upon you or your performance.

Amidst the truth of God’s immeasurable love for you, there is an even greater story at play. God displayed His plan by uniting Jews and Gentiles as one under Christ, and is in the process of bringing everything in the universe under His authority. Unlike humans who crave control, and when given it, come up short, God has the vision, the plan, and the power to unite “everything in heaven and on earth.”

Suggestions for Studying Ephesians During the Series:

1. Read daily passages along with NLT or ESV study Bible.
2. Read the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.
3. Listen to the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.

Click here to read or listen to the book of Ephesians.

Scripture References

Ephesians 1:9-14
1 Peter 1:10-11
Philippians 1:6
John 16:7
John 16:12-13

Characteristics of the Holy Spirit

1. He’s there to comfort you, not make life comfortable. We must not over identify with our failure or success. Our value cannot be tied to anything outside of God.
2. He’s there to convict you. He helps you turn from wrong behavior. Being a believer is a lifestyle of repentance.
3. He’s there to instruct you and teach you. When you hear or read something from God’s Word, how do you respond to His instruction?
4. He gives you direction. He helps to lead you and make tough decisions.

Thoughts to Consider

-If you do not have another being living inside of you, you are not a Christian.
-How do you respond to the clear truths currently in front of you?
-You may be a Christian, but you haven’t heard from the Spirit in a long time. You will not work your way out of a hardened heart to the Spirit. You need  community to remove those scales.