Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:11-12
so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:12
The opening statement of the apostle Paul in this chapter (1) as he calls the believers in Ephesus to praise God for His glorious grace, is proven to be worthy to fulfill, not only to the first-hand recipients of the epistle, but to you and I as well, as the apostle Paul had unfolded or showcased this absolutely amazing grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (vv.3-10). This call to the saints in Ephesus, immediately applies as well to the future recipients, namely, all the believers of this present time, to the last believer who will complete the number of God’s chosen people in Christ. Yes, we need then to be reminded over and over again, that God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, must be praised continuously. As we continue to immerse ourselves in the attempt of understanding this grace once more, or our blessedness in Christ, we shall again embark ourselves with such faith, that our hearts and minds would produce a God-glorifying response – blessing Him!
As we resume in understanding more of the work of His Son, the hope now is that all who understand that whoever is in Christ is automatically graced in Him (vv.7c-10), by the Father Himself, is now resolved in rendering an endless worship to Him. And now, in continuation, there is even more expectation of being satisfied in rendering an endless praise to Him: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory" (vv.11-12). Immediately, we can see here that in and through Christ, we have gained an inheritance that we can never achieve, even if we have the chance to live eternally. For our nothingness apart from God’s grace Himself has undeniably and absolutely proven this throughout the history of mankind – as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Only and only in and through Christ, that we have acquired this glorious inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Also, this is to be understood as well that all believers who are united by the Father in Christ His Son, is predestined for this. Meaning, from the past eternity, God sovereignly determined that every sinner who will be soon founded in the Lord Jesus Christ by the Father Himself, however wretched and worthless they were before Him, in God’s grace in Christ they have been appointed for this glory! All of this are for the praise of His glory, the final cause of our blessedness in Christ!
Such a blessedness, dear saint! There is so much that awaits us in the coming of Christ. We need not fear, because when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And when we are in suffering, keep in mind that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. What now, dear saint? What is more for us to do then, but to seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Dear saint, how does this motivate you in praising Him who has unconditionally loved you with an everlasting love in His Son? From glory to glories, you shall behold Him more - glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Don’t lose of your hold of this then: He guides you with His counsel, and afterward He will receive you in glory. Remember then now the priestly prayer of Christ who will for sure in His perfect plan will fulfill - The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them (John 17:22-26).
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Have you now really realized your nothingness apart from Christ?
2. Do you consider it your greatest blessedness to be found in Him then?
3. Are you now seeing the need of praising Him for His worthiness?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Read
Ephesians 1:3-12
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You, in the name of Your Son, admittedly lost of words because of the blessedness that You have given me in Him. All I can pray, Father, is that in Your grace in Him, grant me a heart that will never stop glorying in Him and His works alone. That He might be praised and thanked, for He alone deserves all of these. Help me then, Father, according again in Your glorious grace in Him, to do everything out of a worshipping heart, all that can glorify Him, and what He has done for me. Thank You, Father, for blessing me with Your Son, my highest good and my ultimate satisfaction. In His name I pray. Amen.
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