Ephesian Chapter 1 | An Inheritance & Identity in Christ Jesus

From the moment we open our bible to Ephesians, we step right into the first chapter and we're not just reading words on this page, no, we’re greeted into a room full of heavenly treasures. The author, Paul opens his letter not with a gentle introduction, but with a flood of praises: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3, KJV). With this single verse, our expectations are set and the tone has been cast. Everything that follows in this chapter is about our identity, inheritance, and the immeasurable love of God through Jesus Christ.

If you’re someone just beginning your walk with Christ, Ephesians 1 is a great place to start, it’s an anchor. It answers the deepest cries of our heart. Who am I? Does God truly see me? Do I have a place in His plan? What is my purpose here on earth? All these questions are answered right in the first chapter of Ephesians. Paul says yes, and not just yes, but yes with boldness. You are chosen. You are adopted. You are redeemed. You are forgiven. You are sealed with the Spirit. Nothing about your life is random or forgotten. As Paul writes, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4, KJV). That means before your parents even knew your name, your Father in Heaven did. One thing that we have to remember about God, our Heavenly Father is that before He even formed heaven and earth, separated the firmaments and all the things, He knew us. He knew that you were going to be born and came across this blog on this day. My purpose at this moment is to help minister you along your journey.

Think about that for a moment. Before there was time, there was God’s plan for you, for me and for every single creations. In John 15:16, it echoes the same heartbeat: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” God’s choice of you isn’t based on performance or perfection, but on His eternal love and purpose.

Ephesians Chapter One also lays out what we already have in Christ. Verse 7 declares, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Notice the present tense—we have. Not “we might,” not “we’ll eventually earn,” but we have. That means when shame whispers in our ear, we can answer it with Scripture, with His Word and promise. And proudly say, “I am redeemed, I am forgiven, and I don’t need to carry yesterday’s failures into today.”

And then Paul does something I love. He doesn’t just tell the the readers who we are, he prays for us to see it with our own eyes. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Ephesians 1:17–18, KJV). That’s not just a prayer for the first-century church; that’s a prayer for us all. Every day, we need the Spirit to open our eyes to what God has already placed in our hands. James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, and He will give generously.

Remember these scriptures to help us in our daily walks with Christ; when the day gets to heavy to bare we only need to ask God to open your eyes. Ask Him to remind us of our inheritance in Christ, to help us rest in redemption instead of striving for approval, and to see the power of Christ seated far above every principality and power, as Paul describes it in Ephesians 1:21. That means no earthly trouble, no spiritual battle, and no hidden fear has the last word. It never did, Christ does.

It’s easy to hear these words and believe they’re dolled up real nice and pretty, but let me ask you something, do you believe it? Do you believe Jesus when He tells us, He saved us, He choses us, He is here for us? Do you believe you are chosen, that you are sealed, that you have an inheritance no one can steal? Or do you still find yourself measuring your worth by the world’s scale? That is why this first chapter is so important, Paul wrote this chapter to uproot those lies and replace them with truth, with the fruit of the Spirit. Romans 8:16 reminds us that “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” You don’t have to manufacture belonging—you already belong to Him.

This is why Ephesians chapter 1 matters so much. It’s not just a chapter to memorize; it’s a truth to live by and with. God is reminding you throughout this entire chapter: You are not forgotten. You are not powerless. You are not without direction. You are His.

I’d love for you to join us on YouTube where we dive deeper into verses of thanksgiving and grace, celebrating the One who made this inheritance possible—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And if you’d like to surround yourself with these reminders daily, visit our Free Resources here on the site to download your high-resolution 300dpi Bible verse prints. Hang them in your home, slip them into your journal, or gifting them to a friend or family member who needs encouragement.

The Complete Book of Ephesians

Although this letter written by Paul is addressed to the Ephesians—it’s God’s personal reminder to you. These messages He entrusted his disciples with when Father rose Him from His three days and three night sleep. We Are Chosen. Redeemed. Sealed. Empowered. That’s who we are in Christ.

Stay faithful, stay loyal, and stay building.
With love and fire,
V.S. Beals
Writer. Watchwoman. Woman of the Word.