Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us to journey into Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.  God chose us for himself, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. With God’s love he destined us for adoption through Jesus Christ. Through the beloved, God gave us the covenant, the favor of his will, and the glory of his grace.

In Christ Jesus we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, and we are in agreement with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, Christ has made known to us the mystery of his will. With the covenant and with his favor, he set forth his plan for the fullness of time, to sum up all things in himself, in heaven and on earth.

In Christ’s glory we were also chosen, destined for the covenant with the purpose of God who accomplishes all things, according to the intention of his will.  In Christ, we exist for the praise of his glory; we who first hoped in Christ. In Christ we have heard the word of truth, and the gospel for our salvation; we who have believed in him. We were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. This spirit is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, and for the praise of his glory.