Chosen, Redeemed, and Sealed in Christ

Live Transformed
Jun 7
3 min read

Have you ever wondered who you truly are—not according to the world, but according to God? The first chapter of Ephesians gives us a beautiful, sweeping picture of our identity in Christ. In just 23 verses, the Apostle Paul lays out God’s eternal plan for His people—a plan rooted in grace, overflowing with love, and anchored in Christ.

Let’s explore three powerful truths from Ephesians 1 that every believer should hold onto. If you are not familiar with the text, take a few minutes to read Chapter 1. The link is above.

1. You Were Chosen Before the Foundation of the World

“He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” — Ephesians 1:4

Before you were born—before the world even began—God had you in mind. This truth is both humbling and awe-inspiring. Your relationship with God didn’t begin when you first walked into a church or opened a Bible. It began in eternity past, when God, in love, chose to call you His own.

This choosing isn’t based on our performance, background, or merit. It’s all grace. We are invited to rest in the confidence that our identity is not something we earn but something we’ve been graciously given. When you accept Christ, he graciously gives you His name and adopts you into His family. The choice is yours, but the work to make it happen was done by Him. What a precious act of mercy God bestows on those who choose to call Him Father.

2. You’ve Been Redeemed by His Blood

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” — Ephesians 1:7

The heart of the gospel beats in this verse. We were lost in sin, but Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us. Redemption isn’t just a spiritual concept—it’s a transaction of love where Jesus gave Himself to purchase our freedom. The definition of redemption is being freed from the bondage of sin and its consequences through the payment of a ransom. Jesus paid our debt in accordance with the riches of God's grace.

Because of His sacrifice, our past no longer defines us. Sin no longer holds us. We’ve been forgiven—fully, freely, and forever. And this forgiveness isn’t scarce or reluctant. It’s abundant, overflowing, and always available.

3. You Are Sealed with the Holy Spirit

“When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” — Ephesians 1:13–14

God not only saves us—He secures us. The Holy Spirit is God’s mark of ownership on our lives. Like a king’s seal on a royal decree, the Spirit confirms that we belong to God and that our inheritance is guaranteed.

This means we never have to walk through life alone. The Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, and our constant guide. He empowers us to live out the calling we’ve received, and He reminds us that our future is firmly in God’s hands. As believers, this is a great comfort. No matter what life hands us, we have the Spirit of God on our side to lead us and guide us. This should give us peace and comfort knowing we are not alone and that God has everything under control.

Final Thoughts: Your Identity in Christ

Ephesians 1 isn’t just theology—it’s a declaration of your new reality in Jesus:

You are chosen.
You are redeemed.
You are sealed.

When life feels uncertain or you struggle to find your worth, come back to these truths. Let them shape the way you think, live, and love. The world will lie to you and tell you that you are not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, and on and on. However, that is not what God says. When you learn the truth, you must live by it! Remind yourself each day who God says you are, then walk in that truth. You are part of God’s eternal plan, and nothing can separate you from His grace. If you struggle to believe these truths, contact us. We would love to pray with you and talk to you about how you can change your thoughts to align with the truth of God's Word.

Check out these discussion questions to help you think deeper about Ephesians 1: