Introduction
Over the next two days, we are going to look at 12 Bible verses that contain simple truths anyone can understand. However, some parts have been debated by Bible experts for years. Today, let’s focus on the easy parts.

Have you ever traveled outside the United States? If so, you had to carry a passport. This document is extremely important to get into other countries and to return home. It shows that you are a U.S. citizen. It proves your identity and gives you certain rights and privileges. Without your passport, you can't claim those rights.

In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul talks to the church at Ephesus, and to us, about our identity in Christ and the rights and privileges that come with it. If you’ve traveled a lot, you might have had a moment when you thought you lost your passport. When this happens, you frantically search for it because it proves what country you are a citizen of. Paul reminds us not to lose our identity as citizens of heaven.

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 1:3-14 (New Living Translation)

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him."

Explanation and Reflection
Based on Ephesians 1, here are four simple truths about being in Christ:

1. You are Blessed.
In verse 3, it says you have “every spiritual blessing.” It’s far too easy to focus on what we don’t have. God has blessed us abundantly. Do we have the eyes to see that?

2. You are Chosen.
Verse 4 highlights that God knew and chose you before He made the world. If He chose you when you were unlovely and made you lovely, why would He abandon you when you make yourself unlovely through sin? No, He chose you and doesn’t abandon His chosen ones.

3. You are Loved.
According to verse 4, God not only knew you before the world was made, but He also loved you. In verse 7, Paul says that God “purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.” This purchase is clear evidence of God’s love for us.

4. You are Adopted.
You are part of God’s family. Verse 11 says, “We have received an inheritance from God.” This means we enjoy all the rights and privileges of being in God’s family.

Ephesians 1 starts with our identity in Christ. This is simple, yet believers often forget it when facing problems in the world. Whether in good times or bad, remember your identity in Christ.

Question of the Day
Here's a question for you to think about and apply:
What issues or problems make you forget your identity as a citizen of heaven? Which one truth mentioned today do you need to remember?