Abide Together: Reflections on Galatians 6 and Ephesians 1

In Galatians 6 Paul exhorts the believers in the Churches of Galatia to bear each others’ burden, do good to all people, run from those who try to justify themselves in the flesh, & boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Lord, because I have been saved by Your grace I have nothing to boast about – help me only and always boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 1 Paul begins his letter recounting all the Lord had done in the believers at Ephesus by His Grace in Christ.  He has also done this to all those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior and Lord, including me.  He blessed me with every spiritual blessing, chose me to be holy and blameless, In love HE predestined me to adoption as a son through Jesus, he redeemed me through His blood, forgave me, made known to me the mystery of His will, gave me an inheritance, sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise, etc… Paul reminds them and all believers 3 times the purpose and proper response to these truths (vv. 2, 12, 14) – it is “to the praise of his grace and glory.”  Lord, I give You praise for all you have done in and to me through Jesus.

– Bryan McKenzie