NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Mark 9-11
SCRIPTURE READING
Eph 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom
and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which
he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in
heaven and things on earth.
From the moment we believe we are freed from the guilt and the power of sin “through
his blood”. Redemption comes from what Jesus did for us, from His death on the cross.
Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross we are freed from slavery to sin and guilt. His
death was an atoning sacrifice. This forgiveness comes according to the abundant
overflowing of His free grace and mercy. God lavished His grace and mercy upon us in “all
wisdom”, salvation was God’s wise plan. In the Old Testament we see bits and pieces of
this plan, we see prophetic shadows of this plan but now God has made known to us the
mystery of His will by His Word and through His Spirit. The mystery of the plan of salvation
had now been revealed as the plan was set forth in Christ, although it is still concealed from
those living in darkness. God has made the mystery of His will known “according to his
purpose”. His plan for the fullness of time is to unite all things in Christ, to gather together
all things that are in heaven and on earth and place them in order again under Christ, their
common Head. This is what we have to look forward to!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Spend some time thinking about what your life would be without Christ....then spend
some time thanking God for freeing you from the guilt and power of sin through the blood of
Jesus.
2. Thank God for His mercy and grace, thank Jesus for His obedience in becoming the
atoning sacrifice for our sin. Ask the Lord to give you new insight on what this really
means, what He actually did for you.
3. Ask the Lord if you are living in unity with Christ’s plan to unite all things. Are you
submitted to Christ, as the Head of the Church? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of
insubmissiveness in your life. Spend some moments confessing these as sin and praying
for alignment with His plans for His Church.
