CBC Update
Dear Friends,
Now what I’m about to share you won’t find in a commentary, in any official Bible teaching or in a Bible college lecture on Ephesians 1. But whenever I read Ephesians 1:4–8, I can’t help but think of Sunday lunch, let me explain.
In our house growing up, Sunday lunch was always a baked dinner. And I don’t know how Shirley—my adoptive mother—managed it. We would be up early for Sunday school, off to church, and then somehow return home to find a full baked dinner waiting. There was always a leg of lamb, always baked potatoes and veggies, always peas, and always an abundance of gravy. Shirley made the gravy from the juices in the pan, not from powder in a tin, and there was always so much of it that it covered everything on the plate. It wasn’t thin or watery—it was thick, rich, and was poured out on everything, it wasn’t real gravy unless it sat un top of the peas! I don’t ever remember it ever running out.
That’s the picture that comes to mind when I read Ephesians 1:4–8:
“…for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding…”
The key word for me is “lavished”. Paul could have simply said God gave us grace. He could have written that God showed us love or granted us forgiveness. But the word he uses is stronger—it’s abundant, overflowing, poured out in excess. God hasn’t given us the bare minimum. He has lavished his love, grace, redemption, and forgiveness upon us in Christ.
That gravy image sticks with me. It didn’t just sit neatly on the side of the plate—it covered everything. It touched the potatoes, the lamb, and covered the peas. And that is what God’s grace does. It covers every part of our lives. It reaches into the places where we feel shame, where we feel unworthy, where we feel empty. It doesn’t run out. It doesn’t hold back. It is lavished on us!
May you know that God has chosen you. He has adopted you into his family through Jesus. He has forgiven your sins. He has redeemed your life. And he has done it not reluctantly or sparingly, but lavishly—with love and grace that overflows.
So, take time to be still before him. Allow his presence to wash over you. Let his grace cover every part of your life—your past, your present, your future. And may you walk this week with the confidence that you are fully covered in the lavish love of God.
Have a great week!
Pastor Ian