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19'th day of the month
Ephesians 1:12
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12 That [eis] we [hemas] should be [einai] to [eis] the praise [epainos] of his [autos] glory, [doxa] who [ho] first trusted [proelpizo] in [en] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. NASB
In eternity past, God set out the divine decrees that included among other things, our detailed plan and destiny for both time and eternity. That plan includes a phenomenal blessing, and reward, and inheritance. All of which are far beyond our imaginations.
Neither you nor I nor any human being nor angel, have the capacity or ability to even begin to imagine what blessings God has in store for us in eternity. We do not even know what attributes the next universe will have. We can only think in terms of our present universe.
Therefore, because of that blessing, 'we should be to the praise of His glory,' meaning because of this phenomenal plan of Gods, we should, or now, have the occasion and means of celebrating Him, appreciating Him, thanking Him. And this is all a result of our salvation.
For, were it not for God and His plan which includes our salvation, then we would have nothing and be nothing.
'Who first trusted in Him,' does not mean Paul nor the apostles having first believed in Him, for there have been believers since Adam. This phrase, 'first trust' means because of Gods plan, then our trust in Him, or faith, is the foundation and basis of our hope and confidence. This hope is in advance of all other confirmation.
We must first be saved, before any of Gods plan applies to us. It does not apply to any unbeliever while they remain an unbeliever.
Likewise, all blessings go to mature believers. And therefore, all blessings and rewards for mature believers have an underlying foundation based on their spiritual growth, which is likewise based on doctrine learned and applied and conformed to by means of His defined plan for the spiritual life.
All immature believers, or anyone who rejects Gods definition for the spiritual life and growth, lack that foundation. No study, no blessing. It is as simple as that.
So, every human being born into life has an opportunity to be saved. They need only believe in Christ. That takes but a split second to accomplish. We have exceptions of course for babies and those mentally disabled who do not have that opportunity. One must reach an age of responsibility and formally reject Christ, before one can be held accountable. God is fair.
Also, once saved, then every believer who has believed in Christ, has an opportunity to advance in their spiritual life. They need only to want to know, to want to study, and then do so. Spiritual growth will take over and God will accomplish all of that work as well.
It is those who stubbornly reject Gods method and refuse to study and learn and grow up, who lose out on this blessing package which awaits them.
Salvation precedes eternal life. Spiritual growth to maturity precedes reward.
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End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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