Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:11-12
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:11-12
We’ve seen last time in Paul’s letter for the believers in Ephesus that in the Lord’s limitless grace, we see how God’s incredible work in the Son, the real identifier of Israel, reconciled two hostile groups into one body – the church. And again, in the Lord’s amazing grace, He has made the church as the means of displaying His wisdom. Now, as the church (multiethnic) continues to exist, the task to showcase the wisdom of the Lord will be accomplished for the glory of God’s grace. As the church continues to grow in unification, the wisdom of the Lord is showcased even more, as the Lordship of Christ, the Lord of the universe is exalted even more!
Paul is making the believers realize this blessedness that God has designed – that the top and ultimate purpose of the church is to glorify God, which part of it is the displaying of His much variegated or multifarious wisdom: “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him (vv.11-12)”. The redemption that God purposed in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ is from the eternity past. This means that the Lord’s eternal counsel, plan, and purpose(s) originated before everything was put into [creation] order. This is to be understood as the pre-historic covenant between the Godhead. And since it originated from the eternity past, the display of God’s infinite and unfathomable wisdom through the church is not a secondary plan in response to or out of the failure of Israel. God willed that every person shall come to Him through faith in Christ, not based on any self or even outside self-confidence (own merit), but boldness based only in Christ’s Person and works, that all the glory might be received by Him who is worthy of all God’s blessing – Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church.
Again, dear saint, in the Lord’s wisdom you have been made part of the church – His body. The church is central to God’s working in history. Paul described the church as a divine agent and as a divine fellowship with a divine mandate. Your born-againness is a display of God’s unsearchable wisdom, granting you equal standing with the Son of God Himself, as you have been made co-heirs with Him. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
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. Does the great commission of the Lord given through His apostles give you a great assurance and conviction in the historicity and legitimacy of your Christian faith?
2. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
3. 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!
Pray
Father in heaven, I come before You again in the name of Your Son, thanking You continuously for in Your manifold wisdom, You have granted me this supreme blessedness of being part of the body of Your Son. I thank You, Father, for You have bestowed to me my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through whom with boldness and confidence I have access to come before You. Father, again, I ask of Your grace, that You allow me to live now this new life in Him for His glory, for He is all that I need, and all that I have. This I pray, in His name. Amen.
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