Frame of Gold Promise (Eph 1:3-10)
Frame of Gold Promise (Eph 1:3-10)
Karen Tan, 3 July 2015
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed (ASV – bestowed) us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, 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.
Synopsis:
Ephesian 1:3-14 is one complete sentence in the original Greek text. Paul has crammed into this great sentence all that it means to belong to God. It is a rich language detailing all the blessings we can experience “in the heavenly places”.
The phrase, "in the heavenly places", is a reference to the invisible realities of our life now. It reaches on into eternity, yes, but it is something to be experienced now, in the inner life. That is what he is talking about -- your thought-life, your attitudes, your inner life where you live, where you feel conflict and pressure, struggle and disaster.
These are much more than mere doctrinal ambiguities, mere theological ideas. They are facts, foundational truths which undergird us in every moment of our life. And, unless you understand those facts, you can't utilize them, you can't benefit from them. In that way they are like natural laws. The laws of nature operate regardless of how we feel.
7 action verbs relating to the wondrous acts that God has done in relation to us :
1. Blessed
2. Chose
3. Predestined
4. Bestowed
5. Lavished
6. Made Known
7. Unite
Blessed us with all possible blessings imaginable. The blessings of God reveal the character of God.
Chose before the foundation of the earth. We’re already in on the action before we even realise it.
Predestined to us a path that is not random, but intentionally and leading up to a God-chosen destination. “Destine” (prooridzo) derives from the word “boundary” (oros). It means to mark a boundary. When God destines, He marks out the boundaries in which we live the purposed life to which He appoints us. We aren’t set loose in the cosmos to find our place and way in it as best we can. It presupposes a relationship with the Maker.
‘Bestowed’ is the noun ‘grace’ verbalised. It signifies a pouring-out and being drenched in. ‘Lavished’ is everywhere, as ‘bestowed’ is rare. God’s extravagant grace can never be overstated.
Made Known means we are never in the dark. God wants our partnership in the Grand Plan. Mystery here doesn’t refer to things kept I secret, but to the inside story of the way God does things, bringing us into the story. This knowledge is acquired through a relationship with Him.
The ultimate union in God’s redemptive plan is our resurrection focus – our Hope of Glory.
The knowledge of this Grand Plan that includes us right from the very beginning should lead to 2 responses from us:
1. Humility - we can never fully comprehend the entire picture
2. Adoration – we can only open our hand to receive with heartfelt gratitude
Application
Are you enjoying your inheritance? Do you wake in the morning and remind yourself at the beginning of the day, "I'm a child of the Father." "I've been chosen by him to be a member of his family." "He imparts to me all the richness of his life." "His peace, his joy, his love are my legacy, my inheritance from which I can draw every moment of life. And have them no matter what my circumstances may be."
“Frame the Moment” - adapted from Ovidia Yu’s “Shelf Life”
Put a frame of hope around the moment. Even if you don’t understand its look nor its language. Put a frame of gold promise around the miracle that is here and now. Know that its promise will hold you safe and blessed, moulding you in every minute movement towards the God-designed destiny you cannot yet understand, for it does not yet exist outside you…..but it already exists in His heart, mind and plan for you.
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