WISDOM TO COMPREHEND
READ Ephesians 1:8-14
God gives us wisdom and understanding in order that we might be able to comprehend His will, His inheritance, and His sealing us with the Holy Spirit. This is the purpose of this great passage of Scripture: to teach us the great blessings of God. Four additional blessings are covered in this passage in addition to those covered earlier. They are:
vs. 8 - God has given us wisdom and understanding. "Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence." First of all, wisdom is seeing things as God sees them. That doesn't mean that we possess infinite knowledge, but anything God reveals is perfect knowledge and that is the wisdom we are seeking. We want to have the mind of Christ, and He is our wisdom. Next, "prudence" speaks of understanding. Understanding is an ability given to us by the Lord to know how trust fits into our life and situation. Understanding is the personal application of wisdom. Wisdom not applied does nothing but puff us up. Wisdom applied will mold us into the image of Christ. What a blessing!
vs. 9 & 10 - God has revealed the mystery of His will to us. "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him." In the Bible, a mystery is not something mysterious and difficult to understand. Rather, it is a truth that has been locked up in God's plan for ages until He was ready to reveal it to man. When the time came, He unlocked the truth, opening it up to man. The mystery of God's will can be simply stated: God is to gather together and unify all things in a spirit of peace and harmony—all things, both visible and invisible. All things are to be brought to a peaceful and eternal state under the authority and glorification of Jesus Christ. God is moving history toward that climactic consummation. What a day that will be!!!
vs. 11-13 - God has given us an inheritance: He has made us the heritage of God. "In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: 12That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed..." Notice with me four significant truths contained herein:
First, the inheritance or heritage that we have obtained was predestinated, that is, it was foreordained or predetermined by God. Second, the inheritance is clearly stated in the words "That we should be," that is, that we should exist eternally. God gives the believer an eternal state of being—an eternal existence. In fact, the word "inheritance" means heritage. God takes the believer and makes him His own heritage and possession. He is given the glorious privilege of being, of living, and existing forever as God's most cherished possession and heritage. Thirdly, the reason God makes us His inheritance is that we should exist to the praise of His glory. The fact that God would take sinners—totally depraved sinners—and save them will cause praise upon praise to be heaped upon His name. His unbelievable love will be seen and glorified forever and ever by all creatures—both of heaven and of earth, both visible and invisible, both now and yet to be. Finally, how does a person receive this inheritance? It is accomplished in two ways: by hearing the Word of God, and by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.
vs. 13-14 - God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit. "...In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." The word "earnest" means pledge, guarantee, a down payment. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer to give us perfect assurance of His salvation. We know that we are redeemed—that we are God's cherished possession—by the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Again, why does God give us such a glorious guarantee as His own wonderful presence? That His glory might be praised eternally.
We are so privileged and blessed to be children of God through salvation in Jesus Christ.
Have a great day walking in the knowledge of God's goodness in your life.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Whose wisdom do you seek most of the time? The worlds or the Lord's? Where is your time spent most?
2. What happens when the wisdom you have lacks understanding?
3. What practical difference does wisdom make in your life?
4. According to Scripture, exactly what is "the mystery" of God's will?
5. God has given you a priceless inheritance. What godly inheritance should you plan to give to your family and friends?
6. How do you receive God's inheritance? What is the result of receiving God's inheritance?
7. What kind of value does God place upon you?
8. Have you ever worried about the assurance of your salvation? How do verses 13(b) and 14 help give you assurance?