In many aspects of our Christian walk before God we bear a degree of responsibility. Knowing this, it is possible we might begin to place more emphasis on our efforts or knowledge and create a subtle shift from simple faith in God. It is true knowledge of God and His Word is intrinsic to faith and obedience, yet we are compared to one currently seeing a dim reflection of reality. Even when we are able to view a picture or video in High Definition it could only portray a fraction of the details which could be known: what led to the scene, the people involved, the outcome, and the future.
I am blessed God has plans, purposes, and the miraculous ability to perform them all in His way and time. God declared through the prophet in Isaiah 46:9-11, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,' 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it." This is encouraging stuff for those overwhelmed with their own inadequacy and failure. We serve an awesome God who reigns on high and is not reliant upon us to do anything - but He delights to employ us in His service, and it is He who makes our labours fruitful.
My eyes were opened this week to one purpose of the church I hadn't considered before mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 3. Despite viewing himself as the least of all the saints, Paul was delighted to be a prisoner of Christ and bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, to share the mystery of the creation of the church made of both Jew and Gentile which God revealed. He continued concerning God's purpose in Ephesians 3:10-11: "...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord..." It seemed a wild enough thing Paul would be chosen by God to share the Gospel to Gentiles, but even more shocking that God purposed to use the church to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers, to angelic and demonic spiritual hosts. Through Paul's life and all who have been redeemed and atoned for by the blood of Jesus, our lives are a living testimony of the power of God - not only to our fellow men - but to angels forever.
The salvation of a sinner and the subsequent transformation by God's grace must be amazing from an angel's-eye view. We marvel over the metamorphosis of a tadpole to a frog or a caterpillar to a moth because of their physical changes, but demons and angels alike marvel how fallen people can be adopted as sons and made co-heirs with Christ, granted eternal salvation, and filled with all the fullness of God. Looking at the wondrous examples of God's design and wisdom in nature does not grow old for us, and seeing God's majesty and glory in the salvation of souls is a constant source of wonder for spiritual hosts. I am so glad God's will to fulfil this eternal purpose in my life didn't start with me knowing, understanding, or asking for it. How many more things, I wonder, has God planned and is accomplishing right now in the lives of His people who comprise the Body of Christ, the church? Trust God, believing His plans are greater than what you can see or know, and rejoice in Him.
I am blessed God has plans, purposes, and the miraculous ability to perform them all in His way and time. God declared through the prophet in Isaiah 46:9-11, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,' 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it." This is encouraging stuff for those overwhelmed with their own inadequacy and failure. We serve an awesome God who reigns on high and is not reliant upon us to do anything - but He delights to employ us in His service, and it is He who makes our labours fruitful.
My eyes were opened this week to one purpose of the church I hadn't considered before mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 3. Despite viewing himself as the least of all the saints, Paul was delighted to be a prisoner of Christ and bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, to share the mystery of the creation of the church made of both Jew and Gentile which God revealed. He continued concerning God's purpose in Ephesians 3:10-11: "...to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord..." It seemed a wild enough thing Paul would be chosen by God to share the Gospel to Gentiles, but even more shocking that God purposed to use the church to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers, to angelic and demonic spiritual hosts. Through Paul's life and all who have been redeemed and atoned for by the blood of Jesus, our lives are a living testimony of the power of God - not only to our fellow men - but to angels forever.
The salvation of a sinner and the subsequent transformation by God's grace must be amazing from an angel's-eye view. We marvel over the metamorphosis of a tadpole to a frog or a caterpillar to a moth because of their physical changes, but demons and angels alike marvel how fallen people can be adopted as sons and made co-heirs with Christ, granted eternal salvation, and filled with all the fullness of God. Looking at the wondrous examples of God's design and wisdom in nature does not grow old for us, and seeing God's majesty and glory in the salvation of souls is a constant source of wonder for spiritual hosts. I am so glad God's will to fulfil this eternal purpose in my life didn't start with me knowing, understanding, or asking for it. How many more things, I wonder, has God planned and is accomplishing right now in the lives of His people who comprise the Body of Christ, the church? Trust God, believing His plans are greater than what you can see or know, and rejoice in Him.
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