70 January 16, 2017

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:7-9 ESV 

In high school I had an English teacher who would have us diagram sentences.  If you are not familiar with sentence diagramming it is an exercise there you list the subject and verb of a sentence, then start a bunch of connected lines of prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs, etc.  Every word of the sentence gets its place on the diagram.  I recall one sentence that required multiple pieces of paper be taped together so that each word could have its proper place.  (If memory serves it was some long, drawn out sentence about a bear.)

Diagramming Paul's sentences would be a daunting task.  

While reading part of Ephesians in preparation for Wednesday's Grow Class, I read and reread today's verses and discovered it was all one sentence.  Visions of that high school English class came rushing back.  I reminded myself I did not have to diagram the sentence and the cold sweats went away. 

Seventy words!  Multiple promises.  Deep thoughts.  As I reread the verses I kept returning to the phrase "forgiveness of our trespasses".  For all that salvation does for us, at its basic core is forgiveness.  That is where all the other blessings start.  Without that initial forgiveness, nothing else is possible.

Our sin separates us from God.  With sin, no restoration.  With no restoration, no Holy Spirit.  With no Holy Spirit, no guidance or insight.  

It is through the forgiveness of our sin that the right relationship with God is restored.  All that follows comes out of a restored relationship.  Forgiveness makes all else possible.


Example of a sentence diagram