Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:7c-10
according to the riches of his grace,
Ephesians 1:7c
In continuation of understanding how much blessed are the saints in Christ, believers must never fail to possess a heart that will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they ought to! Highest praise must be given to Him by those who are being immersed in the depths of God’s blessing, acceptable worship must spring forth from every heart that has apprehended the blessedness in Christ, honor and thanksgiving must be rendered by those who have realized their nothingness apart from Christ. Yes, those who will really understand how much blessedness is in Christ, those same hearts and minds will be captivated by this glorious reality in Him. Those hearts and minds will become a prisoner of the heart of God fully revealed in Christ Jesus, the Lord.
In the attempt of unpacking the work of His Son, the hope again is the widening of the comprehension of what must be our understanding with regards to our blessedness in Christ Himself. The deeper our understanding of His Person and Works, the higher we will esteem God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: “according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (vv.7b-10)”. All the works of the Father (Blessed us in Christ, Chosen by Him, Predestined us in love) and His Son (Redeemed by Him, Forgiven through Him), are clearly expressed in our passage that this is God’s grace. The riches of his grace have not just made it possible, but it became the blessed reality of every saint being found in Christ the Beloved (graced in Christ)! And this rich grace of God which he lavished upon us, or bestowed extravagantly to the believers, because God is rich in grace, and He [the Father] is so pleased to do this in light of what Christ has accomplished! This glorious blessedness that we have in Christ, was a mystery to all before, but now He [Christ] has made it known to His people – that God will unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Christ will be the exalted King of the Universe, after accomplishing what none of us could do – who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Dear saint, how does it affect your renewed heart knowing that God, being rich in grace, delighted to bestow extravagantly upon you a favor that you cannot and will never earn on your own? Where does this understanding of being graced in Christ lead you? Don’t lose your holding of this: You are graced in Christ, and the mystery of His will, which is the longing of every believer in the Old Testament times, is made known to you – that you will be found in Him, in the fullness of time! You are His, and He is for you! And to be found in Him, the risen Christ, is far better than all we can gain in this world! For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. You are in Christ, and Christ is in you, dear saint!
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 really come to realize your nothingness apart from Christ?
2. Do you consider it your greatest blessedness to be found in Him?
3. Are you seeing God’s rich grace in His Son who is yours?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father is a way 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 1:3-10
Pray
Father in Heaven, I come before You in the name of Your Son, to once again praise You, thank You, honor You, for You are so rich in grace, and You delight in bestowing it extravagantly to me. For You have given me Your Son, my highest good that I ignorantly dishonor, and my greatest blessedness that I foolishly grieve. Forgive me, Father, with my immaturity and selfishness. In light of this, I ask Father in Your rich grace that You grant me a pure heart, that I may see Him as He is in all that I do. A heart that is undivided for Him, that I may give Him the glory due to His name. A heart that is only open for Him, and willing to be owned by Him and Him alone. May Your grace in Him that you graced me, return to You a worship that is pleasing to You. I pray this, in His name. Amen.
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