"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." - Ephesians 1:3
We’ve been studying Ephesians in our Bible Study and while listening to a message today on the way to work this speaker used an example that I thought was cool. I’ll share…
Poker is a game where the outcome of any particular hand significantly involves chance, the long-run expectations of the players are determined by what they do selected on the foundation of probability, psychology and game theory. This picture is a royal flush and is the highest-ranking standard poker hand. If you are dealt these cards you can guarantee you’ll win this hand. All other hands or combinations of cards fall dreadfully short in comparison. As a matter of fact, the only way for you to not win with this hand is to fold. To fold is to throw away one's hand and give up all interest in the current amount of money up for grabs. To fold with a royal flush in front of you is utterly, and stupidly ridiculous.
In Ephesians chapter one, Paul takes one of the longest sentences in the Bible to describe to the Body of Christ all that we have “in Christ.” As a matter of fact he starts off saying we have “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). He then goes on to list that we are (1) chosen in Him before the creation of the world, (2) He predestined us to be adopted as children, (3) we are redeemed through His blood, (4) we have forgiveness of sins, (5) He lavished us with grace, (6) revealed to us the mystery of the church, (7) we have a spiritual inheritance, (8) we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, and (9) have been given a down payment, guaranteeing our inheritance. This is the “hand” that we as the Body of Christ have been dealt. It is ours. We have it in our possession poised and position to win.
The only problem is that most in the Body of Christ live as though they are holding a defeated hand. And when it’s their turn to respond they fold. They throw down the hand they have and accept defeat rather than the immediate victory that is theirs to claim and act upon.
The Apostle Paul challenges us as the Body of Christ to play the gloriously rich hand we have been given by God our Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. By doing so is guaranteed victory. As the Body of Christ let us remember all that we have in Christ and live our lives accordingly.
