3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, 12so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; 14this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:3-14).
If you remember the 1963 claymation movie, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, then you will recall the segment when Santa made a stop at the Island of Misfit Toys. These were toys that had been isolated from the rest of the world because they were of suboptimal quality. They had points of imperfection. They were considered damaged goods, dysfunctional, not good enough for anyone. Not wanted, not worthy of anyone's love, not pretty enough, not refined, not cool, not like all of the others - they were misfits. For example, there was an elephant that had spots, a boxed spring toy named Charlie instead of Jack, a train with square caboose wheels, a boat that could not float and a water gun that squirted jelly.
But despite being stigmatized with the label of 'somebody's mistake', they all experienced deliverance. Santa did not ask them any questions and did not place any demands on them as a prerequisite for deliverance. Santa did not tell the elephant to clean up his spots. He did not tell the boxed spring toy that he needed to find himself. Santa did not tell the train that he needed to smooth out his rough edges. He did not tell the boat to go on a diet. He did not tell the water gun that he did not have the right stuff. No judgments, no conditions, no questions, no condemnation - just deliverance - just as they were. And amazingly, there was room in Santa's sack for every toy and Santa had a home for every toy; somehow there was a place prepared for every misfit. No longer rejected, no longer living as outcasts, no longer homeless, Santa found a place for those deemed out of place. These misfits experienced unconditional grace.
Mind you, I typically do not watch this movie too much any more. But today's text caused me to think about it. This text, Ephesians 1: 3-14 is part of a letter sent to Christians in Asia Minor. The authorship is traditionally attributed to Paul, but there are some scholars who consider this text 'Deutero-Pauline'; they believe that contents and grammatical structure are from a Paul-like person, but not Paul himself. But whether penned by Paul or a Paul-like person, there is a general consensus that the Holy Spirit breathed upon the text.
Let's first examine the substance of this text with our heads. The exaltations to God in verses 6, 12 and 14 suggest that this passage is a doxology. Functionally, it bridges the introduction and body of the entire epistle and sets the tone for the epistle.
If we take a closer look at the details of the text, we see elements of theological points of controversy. We see Calvinistic language concerning predestination. We see language concerning the sovereignty of God. We see language that suggests an early acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity. If we synthesize these theological issues of historic debate, we see that the writer is saying that God should be the object of our praise because we have been the objects of His grace.
Let's define how God's grace is portrayed in this text; there are eight ways:
1) He has blessed us with all spiritual blessings
2) He has chosen us
3) He has destined us
4) He has redeemed us
5) He has forgiven us
6) He has given us an understanding of His will
7) He has given us an inheritance
8) He has given us the company of the Holy Spirit
An even closer examination of this text shows that God's grace is chronologically comprehensive:
- Verses 3-6 address 'past grace' - what God has done
- Verses 7-12 address 'present grace' - what believers have now
- Verses 13-14 address 'future grace' - what believers will have
In essence, the descriptions collectively suggest that:
- God's grace is diachronic - it covers yesterday, today and tomorrow
- God's grace is totally inclusive of what we need
- God's grace has no start date, no expiration date, never needs a 'rain check', is never on back order and never requires a warranty
Let's now examine the substance of this text with our hearts. Specifically, what triggered this doxological response? Is it found in a previous chapter? Is it referencing an event recorded in the book of Acts? I submit to you that the answer is in verse 4. Verse 4 says that we were chosen to be holy and blameless before Him in love. Therein lies the trigger point of praise.
We are not holy and and we are not blameless. We are all naughty by nature. We are all sinners. We are all moral misfits. Like the toys on the island, we deserve to be separated and isolated because we are messed up. But like Santa, God knew that we were misfits, nevertheless He took us in anyhow. It is through His love, as expressed by the cross, that we are seen holy and blameless. Like Santa's bag, God's grace has made room for all, and all who receive His grace can be delivered to a place prepared for them. Thus when the writer realizes that God loved us in spite of ourselves, this doxology pours out of his soul. This text is an expression of appreciation for the appropriation of grace.
So for all of the misfits here today - for every elephant who has a spotty record, for everyone trapped in an identity crisis, for every train who is stuck, for every boat who cannot keep its head above water, for every jelly-filled pistol who is in a jam because it has the wrong stuff, for every one who has been rejected, for everyone who has been neglected, for every person who sends themselves birthday, holiday, get well and sympathy cards, for everyone who fills in a fake relationship status on Facebook, for every person teased, ignored, criticized for the things you cannot change, for everyone who has cried themselves to sleep at night, for everyone who has considered suicide to escape the pain of this life, for everyone who finds consolation in something that can be injected, swallowed or smoked, for everyone who cannot find a place to fit in, for every sociological anomaly, for everyone despised for being different - know that God has a place for you. Know that Christ is ready to accept you as you are. Know that Christ sees the value in you that others do not. Know today that Christ:
1) has blessed you with all spiritual blessings
2) has chosen you
3) has destined you
4) has redeemed you
5) has forgiven you
6) has given you an understanding of His will
7) has given you an inheritance
8) has given you the company of the Holy Spirit
If you are ready to trust Him, then Christ is ready to deliver you from your isolation into His kingdom. Just as you are and waiting not, to rid your soul of one dark blot, to Him whose blood can cleanse each spot. You don't have to be a star to be in God's show. Just come as you are with all your heart and he'll take you in. You're rejected and hurt but to Him you're worth what you have within. God doesn't need a superstar - he'll accept you as you are. You won't be denied because He's satisfied with the love that you inspire; you don't have to be a star to be in God's show.
Trust Christ today. Accept His deliverance today. Accept His acceptance of you (faults, flaws, warts, weaknesses, passions, habits and all) and let Him give you new life today.
Let us praise the God who makes room for misfits. Let giving our lives to Christ and living for Christ be our expression of appreciation for the appropriation of grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above he heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
