Happy New Year to you! It’s a brand new year with the invitation to explore fresh opportunities and learn new perspectives. However, one perspective will not change. 2023 will still be all about the Kingdom of God. We have no instructions to revise the message that Jesus came preaching. The Kingdom of God has come. Its presence and power forever change the way things happen and the way things are done. The coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the arrival of the New Covenant, and the introduction of the Administration of Grace (Eph 3) positions us in a new Kingdom era. We are no longer governed by Old Covenant Law but by Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit. Great news indeed.

Ephesians. A Guidepost for 2023

Paul has magnificent counsel in the book of Ephesians. Totally worth pondering and absorbing as we start this new year. Take time to slowly and prayerfully engage with what Paul is saying by reading the whole book.

Here are a few highlights.

Ephesians 1:2-7 (TPT)

I’m writing this letter to all the devoted believers who have been made holy by being one with Jesus, the Anointed One.
May God himself, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, release grace over you and impart total well-being into your lives.

Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts!

And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.
For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!
Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by his blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of his grace.

Pause, Pray, and Reflect on what Paul just said.

1. What does “being one with Jesus” mean to you?
2. What does having “every spiritual blessing” mean to you?
3. Would you see yourself as having “unstained innocence?” If so, what changes in your demeanor would you expect?

Happy New Year!

To be continued.

Author: David Crabtree

David and Narelle have spent more than 30 years in Senior Leadership and were the founding senior pastors of DaySpring Church (Sydney) where they led for 27 years. They are currently living in Celina, Texas where they are teachers, preachers, conference speakers, and authors. They have two children with six grandchildren. Life's good! David and Narelle are also members of the Bethel Leaders Network (BLN) and have a role as BLN Builders.