“The Mystery of His Will”
June 23, 2019
Ephesians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
As I was reading the Scripture this last week I was blessed by the wonderful reminder of three astonishing things. First, before the world began, God had plans for us. Our Scripture says,
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…” Ephesians 1:4
Think of that! Before God created the world – you were on His mind. In case you missed it – he repeats it again in the next chapter. The Scripture says,
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
The Psalmist says,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16
Do you begin to understand? You were on God’s mind before you were ever born! He knows everything about you. He knew what you would do before you ever did it! How awesome is that. God is space and time transcendent, the theologians say. He is above it. He is not bound by it as we are. And before time began – you were on God’s mind. He had plans for you. He loved you and planned what He wanted for you. So, First, understand that Almighty God the Father, loved you before time began and made plans for you.
Secondly, God has plans for us in this life. We know what some of those plans are because he told us. He said,
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
That’s a little disconcerting – because we know we are not holy and blameless or perfect. We had done things and said things and thought things that were far from holy. None of us are righteous – not one. Isaiah said,
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way” Isaiah 53:6
“As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:10-12
The Good News is that Jesus came to make us holy and blameless. The Scripture says,
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13
Paul testifies, “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10
Paul claimed to be holy and blameless - so it is possible. It can be attained in this life through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It takes our all. It takes the complete surrender of our will to the Lord and our every effort. Peter says,
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
Before the world began God knew you and planned for you to be holy and blameless. The bad news is that we cannot do this in our own power and strength. We are fallen creatures and under a curse. The Good News is that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, knew this before we were ever created and planned and provided for that contingency. Paul wrote:
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time” Titus 1:1-2
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” 2 Timothy 1:9
Understand that none of this life of ours is catching God by surprise. He planned it all out before we were ever created and planned on how we could be victorious, holy and blameless. It is all in Jesus. He is the way. Listen!
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
It is all through and in Jesus. Our righteousness is in Him. Our Holiness is in Him. Our salvation is through faith in Him. What that means is that we don’t put our faith in the world; we don’t put our faith in feelings; we don’t put our faith in what others say. We put our faith in Jesus Christ, as revealed in His Holy Word. It can be trusted. Thousands of saints throughout time has confidently entrusted their eternal destiny to the revelations in this Book. And you can, too.
Before time began God made plans for you. He planned on a wonderful, loving relationship with you. The problem with relationships, though, is that they take two willing participants. God can make all the plans He wants, He can desire you do certain things all He wants, but they won’t happen – unless you choose right. He has set aside His power to make you godlike by giving you the power of choice. He begs and pleads time again for you to come to Him. Listen to Jesus.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Revelation 3:20
Salvation is impossible without Jesus paying the penalty for our sins. Holiness is impossible without our sanctification – without us being set aside for God. Who sets us aside? We do. God provides. He invites. But we have to die to self. We have to yield body and soul to our Savior. When we do – we receive the power of the Holy Spirit to live a holy life.
And that brings us to the third point. God has wonderful plans for us for all eternity. This life isn’t all there is to it. This is just the beginning stage. God, the Son says,
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:1-3
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 2 Corinthians 2:9
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
God has eternal plans for you. I don’t think we can hardly fathom how wonderful it will be. But we know God is love and joy and peace. He is gentle and kind and good. All we know of God’s nature; all He has revealed to us tells us that eternity with Him will be awesome beyond comprehension. I used to tell the kids in our school Desert Son Christian School, to think of the best moment of your life. Maybe it was when you won in sports; maybe it was at Christmas getting the present you hoped for; Maybe your birthday. Then imagine you could stretch that happy moment on to infinity. That doesn’t even do eternity justice. The Bible tries to tell us.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
“and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
Those are just a few of my favorite promises. The Bible is full of them – but you get the idea. God has future plans for you when you have passed the test of this life. It will be wildly euphoric beyond our greatest imaginations. Whatever is good here – eternity will be better. Whatever people trade in exchange for heaven – won’t be worth it.
Put your trust in Jesus. Put your trust in God’s Word. It will be worth it.
