Have you ever received something in a package you didn’t expect? Occasionally a vendor will include a gift with my purchase, maybe a sticker, coupon, or a product sample. Most of the time these free gifts aren’t something I want or need, so they land in the trash.

In the opening of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul details a list of good gifts that come along with the salvation Christ won for us. The best gift we receive when we believe the gospel is a relationship with the God of the universe. That would be enough. But because God is so gracious, so generous, he bestows a wealth of incredibly valuable extras.

We are not just saved, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (v. 3). We are not just saved, we have been made holy and blameless (v. 4). We are not just saved, we have been adopted into a new family (v. 5). God has not left us in the dark, He has shown us what His plan is for this world (v. 10). All this, and so much more, comes to those who trust in Christ!

Christians should be aware of their inheritance in Christ because the world offers its own alternate list of “bonus gifts.” From the world, we are offered a sense of belonging, endless enjoyment, and a self-focused way of life. But none of these comes from God who lavished His love on us by sacrificing His Son for our sins. When we fully appreciate the blessings given to us by God, the gifts of the world begin to look like those stickers you didn’t ask for, thrown into the bottom of a box and sent by someone you don’t know.

Have you ever received something in a package you didn&rsquo;t expect? Occasionally a vendor will include a gift with my purchase, maybe a sticker, coupon, or a product sample. Most of the time these free gifts aren&rsquo;t something I want or need, so they land in the trash.
In the opening of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul details a list of good gifts that come along with the salvation Christ won for us. The best gift we receive when we believe the gospel is a relationship with the God of the universe. That would be enough. But because God is so gracious, so generous, he bestows a wealth of incredibly valuable extras.
We are not just saved, we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (v. 3). We are not just saved, we have been made holy and blameless (v. 4). We are not just saved, we have been adopted into a new family (v. 5). God has not left us in the dark, He has shown us what His plan is for this world (v. 10). All this, and so much more, comes to those who trust in Christ!
Christians should be aware of their inheritance in Christ because the world offers its own alternate list of &ldquo;bonus gifts.&rdquo; From the world, we are offered a sense of belonging, endless enjoyment, and a self-focused way of life. But none of these comes from God who lavished His love on us by sacrificing His Son for our sins. When we fully appreciate the blessings given to us by God, the gifts of the world begin to look like those stickers you didn&rsquo;t ask for, thrown into the bottom of a box and sent by someone you don&rsquo;t know.

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

Ephesians: God’s Gracious Gifts

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/e1a9c00f-7233-4edd-8b29-b3d800f73a7f/transcript

Home ownership is attractive. Why pay rent when you can invest your hard-earned money into an asset that may appreciate over time? However, owning a home takes effort. The lawn must be mowed, the siding must be painted, and the roof must be repaired. But even while a rental might be easier, homeownership is considered a worthy investment.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his readers to do the hard work of maintaining the faith they have attained. They need to continue to live their lives in submission to the authority of Jesus (v. 6). He uses two images to describe the hard work they need to do. First, they need to remain rooted in Christ (v. 7). Like a plant extending roots for nutrients in the soil, they need to sink their roots deep in the knowledge of their Savior.

Second, their faith needs to be built up like a firm foundation that supports a building. They are to strengthen their faith and cultivate a heart “overflowing with thankfulness” (v. 7). Paul’s advice was important because the Colossians lived in a dangerous place, awash in “hollow and deceptive philosophy” (v. 8). These teachings were not based on Christ but on cultural practices and even the demonic world. Proponents of these ideas were always on the lookout for converts to ensnare. The Colossians needed to avoid being taken captive, and Paul’s warnings also ring true for us today!

Like home ownership, living out our faith takes work. The Colossians could not assume that just because they came to faith in Christ in the past, they would not need to expend energy on a regular basis to maintain that faith against opposition. In the same way, we need to realize that the work we do now for Christ is of eternal value.

Home ownership is attractive. Why pay rent when you can invest your hard-earned money into an asset that may appreciate over time? However, owning a home takes effort. The lawn must be mowed, the siding must be painted, and the roof must be repaired. But even while a rental might be easier, homeownership is considered a worthy investment.
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his readers to do the hard work of maintaining the faith they have attained. They need to continue to live their lives in submission to the authority of Jesus (v. 6). He uses two images to describe the hard work they need to do. First, they need to remain rooted in Christ (v. 7). Like a plant extending roots for nutrients in the soil, they need to sink their roots deep in the knowledge of their Savior.
Second, their faith needs to be built up like a firm foundation that supports a building. They are to strengthen their faith and cultivate a heart &ldquo;overflowing with thankfulness&rdquo; (v. 7). Paul&rsquo;s advice was important because the Colossians lived in a dangerous place, awash in &ldquo;hollow and deceptive philosophy&rdquo; (v. 8). These teachings were not based on Christ but on cultural practices and even the demonic world. Proponents of these ideas were always on the lookout for converts to ensnare. The Colossians needed to avoid being taken captive, and Paul&rsquo;s warnings also ring true for us today!
Like home ownership, living out our faith takes work. The Colossians could not assume that just because they came to faith in Christ in the past, they would not need to expend energy on a regular basis to maintain that faith against opposition. In the same way, we need to realize that the work we do now for Christ is of eternal value.

Colossians: It Takes Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/4a3c810e-0607-402f-b4e8-b3d800f73b6d/transcript

You might not know that The Pilgrim’s Progress was written in prison. The author, John Bunyan, was imprisoned for preaching in public without a license. At the time the local authorities banned such preachers, so they put Bunyan in jail for 12 years. But if their goal was to silence him, they failed. Bunyan used the time to write The Pilgrim’s Progress, which has become one of the most printed books in the English-speaking world.

Paul wrote Philippians under similar circumstances. He was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the Jewish Temple and this precipitated a series of events which led to his incarceration. One would expect this difficult situation to result in frustration and anger for the apostle, but he had a different perspective. He accepted this trial as from the hand of God and focused on opportunities it presented him.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul noted that during his imprisonment the gospel was being preached to people who would not normally hear it (v. 13). Paul would not have had access to the palace guard if he had not been placed in prison! In addition, as other believers watched him endure this trial with grace and a sense of mission, they became bolder (v. 14). Finally, Paul used his time in prison to write letters to Christian communities. These letters made an impact on early Christians and continue to do so today.

Paul’s example reminds us that we have options when enduring a trial. We can languish under the pain and a sense of injustice, or we can lean in and look for the opportunities it creates. Your accusers may intend to silence you, but they may be giving you a platform for the gospel.

You might not know that The Pilgrim&rsquo;s Progress was written in prison. The author, John Bunyan, was imprisoned for preaching in public without a license. At the time the local authorities banned such preachers, so they put Bunyan in jail for 12 years. But if their goal was to silence him, they failed. Bunyan used the time to write The Pilgrim&rsquo;s Progress, which has become one of the most printed books in the English-speaking world.
Paul wrote Philippians under similar circumstances. He was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the Jewish Temple and this precipitated a series of events which led to his incarceration. One would expect this difficult situation to result in frustration and anger for the apostle, but he had a different perspective. He accepted this trial as from the hand of God and focused on opportunities it presented him.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul noted that during his imprisonment the gospel was being preached to people who would not normally hear it (v. 13). Paul would not have had access to the palace guard if he had not been placed in prison! In addition, as other believers watched him endure this trial with grace and a sense of mission, they became bolder (v. 14). Finally, Paul used his time in prison to write letters to Christian communities. These letters made an impact on early Christians and continue to do so today.
Paul&rsquo;s example reminds us that we have options when enduring a trial. We can languish under the pain and a sense of injustice, or we can lean in and look for the opportunities it creates. Your accusers may intend to silence you, but they may be giving you a platform for the gospel.

Philippians: Trial Equals Opportunity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/eb9e5381-b7ef-465f-aa88-b3d800f73ac8/transcript

The sound of a siren is meant to evoke a strong and immediate response. The powerful wail means one thing: There is an emergency, so be ready to act. You may need to stop, you may need to pull over—pay attention!

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul sounds a warning siren for a theological emergency. He had received a report that the Galatians had begun to change their minds about the gospel. He taught them that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient to secure their salvation (v. 1) but now they had begun to believe that this was insufficient. They wanted to earn their salvation. “Are you so foolish?” asks Paul (v. 3).

The Galatians had a stunning change of mind. Paul points out that they received the Holy Spirit at salvation by believing (v. 2). The Spirit was the sign of their salvation, and they received that as a gift. He sounds the alarm even louder by pointing out that God had been working among them, and this was not because they earned it by doing good works (v. 5). No, they had believed, and God saved them, so why would they try to earn those gifts now? Abraham serves as the perfect example. When confronted by God, he believed, and God made him righteous (v. 6).

The Galatians needed to pay attention and act. They needed to think differently about their situation. They needed to accept the grace of God’s gift and stop trying to work for it. Their very salvation was at risk. If they tried to earn it, they would surely fail. No one can be righteous enough to overcome their sin problem! Thankfully, there is One who has taken care of it for us.

The sound of a siren is meant to evoke a strong and immediate response. The powerful wail means one thing: There is an emergency, so be ready to act. You may need to stop, you may need to pull over&mdash;pay attention!
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul sounds a warning siren for a theological emergency. He had received a report that the Galatians had begun to change their minds about the gospel. He taught them that Christ&rsquo;s sacrifice was sufficient to secure their salvation (v. 1) but now they had begun to believe that this was insufficient. They wanted to earn their salvation. &ldquo;Are you so foolish?&rdquo; asks Paul (v. 3).
The Galatians had a stunning change of mind. Paul points out that they received the Holy Spirit at salvation by believing (v. 2). The Spirit was the sign of their salvation, and they received that as a gift. He sounds the alarm even louder by pointing out that God had been working among them, and this was not because they earned it by doing good works (v. 5). No, they had believed, and God saved them, so why would they try to earn those gifts now? Abraham serves as the perfect example. When confronted by God, he believed, and God made him righteous (v. 6).
The Galatians needed to pay attention and act. They needed to think differently about their situation. They needed to accept the grace of God&rsquo;s gift and stop trying to work for it. Their very salvation was at risk. If they tried to earn it, they would surely fail. No one can be righteous enough to overcome their sin problem! Thankfully, there is One who has taken care of it for us.

Galatians: Pay Attention!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/9365459f-ddf1-4df5-92ea-b3d800f73a43/transcript

Ephesians: God’s Gracious Gifts

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