SOAP: Ephesians 1:3-10
SOAP is one of the primary ways to dive deep into scripture and get the most out of our time with the Word. If you don’t know what the SOAP method is, it stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer:
Scripture: Physically write out the Bible verse. When writing it down, you are most likely to memorize it and you’re opening up the chance for more to be revealed to through the written words.
Observation: What do you see in the verses you’re reading? Who is speaking? Do you see a theme or something that stands out to you?
Application: How can I apply this to my real life? This is where God’s Word becomes tangible through YOU. What is God saying to you? How can you become more like Him? Are there any changes you could make?
Prayer: Has God revealed something to you during this time that you need to confess OR thank Him for? Do not skip this step! There is power in prayer and this is a great way to complete your reading time.
In today's post, I'm going to share Psalm 55:12-18 and what stood out to me and how I plan to apply to my days and pray.
SCRIPTURE: EPHESIANS 1:3-10
"Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time — to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him."
OBSERVATION:
Paul opens this passage of scripture with a praise to God for all the blessings he gives to every believer. In Jesus, believers are blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavens” (v3). The CSB Study Bible note for this verse indicates some of these blessings include: union with Christ, being seated with Christ in the heavens, and our adoption, redemption, and election.
v4 explicitly states that before the foundation of the world we were chosen by God. In other words, before God created the universe He knew the plans he had for us and set us apart as his people in creation. What did he choose us for? To be holy and blameless before him. We were not chosen because we were holy and blameless, we were chosen to be holy and blameless. Understanding this difference is crucial to understanding the true gospel of Jesus.
v5 again reiterates the truth that we were predestined, or chosen by God. God’s choosing of his people is rooted in love. To be “adopted as sons” can be understood as to become God’s people, and this happens through the work of Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and the atonement of the sins of those that God has chosen before the foundation of the world (v4) was the predetermined plan of God. Acts 4:28 speaks to this.
The ultimate purpose of God’s plan of salvation is for the praise of his glorious grace. We receive God’s grace through the Beloved One, who is Jesus. The purpose of life the God’s people is to live a life of praise of the grace that we are shown through Jesus
v7 states that in Jesus we have redemption and forgiveness of our sin through his blood. All of this was done through God being rich in his grace. One of the ways this grace manifests itself in a believer is through knowledge and understanding of who God is and what He has done for us!
v9-10 shows that through this knowledge and understanding God has made his will known: Jesus is Lord and he is uniting all things under his authority. Jesus came to bring redemption and restoration to all things in heaven and earth and has the authority and power to do so.
APPLICATION:
There is power in knowing that we are chosen by God for a specific purpose. It is important that as believers we understand what that purpose is specifically and learn how to live according to it.
In order to live out this purpose we must first know and understand who God is and what he has done for us.
Let us remind ourselves of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ because we have been chosen, and let us always remember that it is through the blood of Jesus alone that we have the forgiveness of our sin and redemption. We were chosen to be holy and blameless in love before God and the only way to become this is to be washed by the blood of Jesus.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness and redemption I have in you because of your sacrifice for me on the cross. You chose me before creation and set me apart to be holy and blameless, to praise your glorious grace. I pray that you remind me of my purpose and empower me to worship your glorious grace and name all the days of my life. Amen!
If you have more questions, whether about this passage or Jesus, OR if you feel you are ready to take the leap and receive salvation through faith, then reach out to us at info@truenorthpgh.org We believe that every person will experience tremendous life change once they feel and experience the amazing love of Christ.
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