Ephesians 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed… Trust in Christ is the fruit of faith in Him. We cannot believe God's record concerning Christ without trusting in Him; and faith, which is the root of trust, cometh by hearing the word of the truth of the gospel. The word heard produces faith, and the Holy Ghost is the seal of the word believed. Trust in Jesus Christ regards Him from our standpoint as He is revealed to us in the word of the truth of the gospel. But the gospel reveals him to us from God's standpoint as "all in all," made of God unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. There is nothing that God sees to be good for us that we may not have by trusting in Christ. "He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about." Imagine being in the centre of the circle of mercies! — mercy above, mercy beneath, mercy around us. All God's fulness is laid up for us in Jesus Christ, and abounds to us in superabounding mercies. Jesus Christ was the promise of the Old Testament to be believed. The Holy Ghost is the promise of the New Testament, and is from Christ to us who believe the seal of our union with Him. "In whom ye also trusted." There are three truths here stated, and referring in common to both those who first trusted in Christ and "ye also." 1. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth." 2. "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance" (ver. 11). 3. "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance." We both have trusted. We have both obtained an inheritance. We have both been sealed. "Chosen! in Him before the foundation of the world." Blessed! adopted! accepted! redeemed! forgiven! — and sealed for all these in Him! (M. Rainsford, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, |
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