"Done Deal" versus "Will Happen"

Sometimes I read the Bible too fast.

In so doing I often miss the significance of what might be called "little" words. I am a speedy reader (four years in prison helped increase my reading speed), and I have to force myself to slow down when reading something important...and of course nothing is more important than the Word of God.

Ephesians 1 has some "little" words that are packed with meaning. I highlight them below:

Eph 1.3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ"

Eph 1.7, 8

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings according to the riches of His grace which He lavished (not "will lavish") on us..."

Eph 1.11

"In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will"

Eph 1.13

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise"

The highlighted words are past tense...done deal...accomplished...over...The verses do not speak of something that will happen 'some glad morning when this life is over.." The tense of the "little" words are huge in that they tell us we HAVE every spiritual blessing...we HAVE redemption...we HAVE grace lavished on us...we HAVE an inheritance...we HAVE BEEN sealed.

Think over these verses...cherish the fact that "it is finished." And pass it on!