I think I’ve learned a bit about Paul reflecting on the first chapter of Ephesians. For instance, from chapter 1 verse 3-14 I’ve developed an impression that Paul was excitable. (Read the passage here.)

He was obviously wound up because the whole section is one long sentence in the Greek. He is so enthusiastic about his theme he doesn’t draw breath.

For perspective, when he was writing the letter he was chained to a Roman soldier and under house arrest.

It is written that without holiness, no one shall see the Lord.
But should misery accompany holiness or is it something that we can avoid?

Our attitude towards trails determines if we are miserable or joyful.
The Blessings of God is given by believing that our God is faithful.

Sanctification. A long word for a long process.

Once, a friend I was discipling asked me, “What does it mean to be sanctified?” I took a deep breath, and said, “Well . . . !”

You can talk about positional sanctification, that the moment you accept Christ as your Savior, you are sanctified: set apart in the family of God. You can go on to experiential sanctification, that is, growing as a Christian to become more and more like Christ in our daily lives. You can finish up with future sanctification, that wondrous moment when “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (I John 3:2, NAS).