Fw: frame of reference

Ephesians 1: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

-

 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

-

It is good to have our "frame of reference" expanded.  Often that frame goes barely past the worries and cares of the day we are currently experiencing.  And, in a sense, that isn't bad because Jesus told us that we should take each day as it comes and not be overwhelmed with worries or fears.  But, in another sense, isn't it amazing to consider that before the foundation of the world God knew, individually, who would come to be his sons through faith in His Son!  Before the seven days of Creation, when God was planning it all...each believer was a specific part of that plan.  God is so in control of it all that He knew we would walk the earth and that, though we'd stumble, we'd also be rescued through the work of His Son on the Cross.

-

And our expanded frame of reference doesn't just go before the beginning...it goes past the end.  Verse 21 tells us that Jesus, who was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of His Father, transcends every authority and power of the current age...while earth is still here and time continues to roll...but He will also rule past the end of "this age"...past earthly powers and all the jockeying for control that we see daily...to the age beyond.

-

We see that God has used all of this great plan to bring things together.  Here's one more verse from Ephesians 1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

-

It gives purpose to our days to know His plan began before the first day and will continue past the last...and, as believers in Jesus and His resurrection, we are part of that completed plan.

-

blessings,

Rob Smith

-------------------------------------------

"Death is inevitable.  Life is a choice!"

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."