His Eternal Purpose

Make Plain the Mystery:

"make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery..." — Ephesians 3:9

Paul repeats himself here for emphasis and explanation:

• “Make plain to everyone” is in parallel with “preach to the Gentiles.” 
• “The administration of this mystery” is in parallel with “the boundless riches of Christ.” These are two ways of getting at the same thing.

I thought I had discovered boundless riches. My brothers and I were exploring an old mine shaft that we found in the mountains. A vein of gold sparkled when our flashlights hit it, and it ran along the wall of the tunnel for many yards. I scraped off a handful of gold and put it in my pocket. I figured we could come back for more any time we needed money. I showed it to Dad. He said it was fool’s gold.

• These true riches are without limit in three ways.
  • The riches are boundless because they are not limited to one particular people group but are for everyone
  • The riches are boundless for each individual believer because they are fresh every morning and keep coming to you throughout your life.
  • And they are boundless because they last forever.

This kind of boundless blessing needs to be known by everyone in the world. It is as good for them as it is for us.

• We have already received the explanation of this mystery. God loves the whole world, Jews and Gentiles, and extends the gift of salvation to all. It is for everyone.
• So part of the reason we remain in the world is to share the good news with all those around us.

I had the opportunity to share the good news this week with someone who never understood or knew. 

• God empowers the witness to these riches. The Apostle Paul experiences the inner working of the Spirit as he proclaims this mystery, and so will you!

Make Known the Wisdom of God:

"His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities." — Ephesians 3:10

Something new has come into the world—a new understanding of what God intends.

I talked to someone this week whose spiritual journey has included two world religions including Christianity, as he would describe it. Yet he has never understood the mystery.

• This is the now of this verse.
• The coming of Christ Jesus was the greatest revelation God ever gave us humans. It is astonishing in every way, as the Apostle describes. And it is a gift for all humans.

The coming of Jesus brings a new understanding about God and his purpose in the world.

• This is the God who created all things. His purpose has not changed. Rather, his purpose is now being disclosed more fully in the world.
• The purpose and intent of God is very important. He intends to rescue us through the gift of his Son.
• Always try to include Jesus in the religious conversation. He is the point of it all for everyone.

The “rulers and authorities” of this verse are spiritual beings such as angels and demons, as I understand them. We know that God has created such beings. In Paul’s day they were a hot topic for some false teachers. 

• Paul says here that these principalities and powers are going to learn something from the church of Jesus Christ about the purposes of God in the world.
• These principalities and powers in the heavenly places know many things. But they have not understood the full extent of the grace of God until the church has taught it.

The word “manifold” describes God’s wisdom. It means “variegated” as the intricate pattern of a woven cloth or the marvelous coloring of a bird or the amazing features of a flower. 

• The mystery of God’s grace extended to humans is a revelation of the manifold wisdom of God.

It is like that three-dimensional painting. If you change your focus to something beyond the painting, you will see the true image that is hidden from the regular view. 

Approach God with Freedom and Confidence:

"through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." — Ephesians 3:12

God’s eternal purpose has been accomplished in Christ Jesus. This is the central theme of the letter.

The practical result of this truth about the purpose of God in creation and in the existence of humanity results in two wonderful conditions for our hearts and minds.

• Freedom of speech. Freedom to speak. Boldness to speak to God. The absence of fear or shame. You might think that confessing an eternal divine purpose in this universe would mean that we are just playing out our scripted part. The opposite is true. Realizing that we are part of God’s plan means that we have a freedom now toward God.
• Confidence—access to God. We approach God with a freedom to speak, a confidence in our access to him through Christ our Lord. 

Do Not Be Discouraged by Sufferings:

"I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory." — Ephesians 3:13

These early Christians may be discouraged by the fact that the great Apostle of their faith is now locked up and awaiting trial with his execution a likely outcome. They may be thinking that Paul, of all people, should be protected from suffering since he is one of God’s chosen ones.

• Paul addresses the thought of other Christians that he is too important or good to suffer by describing himself as “less than the least of all the Lord’s people.” 
• He also continues to emphasize the grace that was given to him. His position as an apostle is a gift of grace, not a reward for anything that he did.

We experience suffering in the context of God’s eternal purpose. This does not answer all the questions about why we suffer. But it does introduce the presence and power of God into our own journey, difficult though it may be.

• Christ himself was “perfected” through his suffering. This truth does not make all suffering good or any particular suffering good. But it does mean that suffering can be redeemed within the eternal purpose of God.
• We should acknowledge our pain but not let it capture us. Pain is temporary. It is not God’s eternal purpose for us to hurt. No more tears. No more pain. That is God’s ultimate goal for us.